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FLUSHING, 



PAST AID PRESENT: 



A HISTORICAL SKETCH, 



BY 



Eev. g. hexry MANDEVILLE, 

OF NEWBUROy N. Y. 

FORMER PASTOR OF THE PROTESTANT REFORMED 
DUTCH CHURCH, AT FLUSHING. 



FLUSHIIS'G, L. I. 

PUBLISHED BY THE HOME LECTURE COMMITTEE OF 1857-8. 



I 860. 




r r- 



NEW-YORK : 
JAMES EGBERT, PRINTER, 

321 Pearl Street. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAI>TER I. 

FAQE. 
rning of Itecorcls, Patent of Incorpora- 

lon. Statistics, ...... Q 

CHAPTER TI. 

Indians, Indian Title, Colonial Incidents, 

&CO 38 

CHAPTER, III. 

lievoliitionary an.d otlier Incidents, . . 56 

CHAPTER, Z^V^. 

Com.mvin^ication. -with, tlie City, Sloops, 
Steam'boats, Railroads, -Appearance of tlae 
"Village, Eire and ^lilitar.v" Companies, 
Other A.ssociations, <fec.— Whitestone, Col- 
lege Point, Little TsTeck, .... 69 

CHAPTER "V. 

Objects of Interest, Friends' IVEeeting Honse, 

Bo~wiie Hovise, the Eox Oalcs, «8cc., . . D6 

ch:apter -vi. 

Personal Incidents and Reminiscences— Rev. 
Erancis I>onghty-, Capt. John TJjiderhill, 
John. Bo-vvme and others, .... 105 

CHAPTER A^II. 

Schools, Institutions, Ne-wspapers, N'nrse- 

ries, &c., ........ 1J34; 

CHAPTER ^III. 

Religions Denominations— Eriends, Episco- 
pal, IVIethodist, Dvitch Reformed, Congre- 
gational, Baptist, Catholic, Lxitheran— 
SaTobath Schools, <Scc. , . . . . . 139 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



THE FOX OAKS. 

FuIENDS' MEETING HOUSE. 

St. GEORGE'S CHURCH. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 

REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH. 

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 

St. MICHAEL'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 

SANDFORD HALL. 

FLUSHING INSTITUTE. 

FLUSHING FEMALE INSTITUTE. 



GOUHESPONDENOE. 

Eet. Gt. H, Mandeylle, 

Dear Sir, — At the conclusion of the course 
of Lectures for the benefit of the village Poor, the following 
resolution, offered by Gen. Allan Macdonald, was unani- 
mously adopted: 

" Resolved, That the thanks of the audience be presented 
to the Rev. G. H. Mandeville, for his interesting Lecture on 
Flushing, and that he be requested to furnish the Committee 
with a copy ©f the same for publication." 

In communicating the wishes of the audience permit ns 
to add our personal solicitation, and hope that you will 
comply with the request. 

Very Respectfully, 

Geo. C. Baker, Chairman, 
Joseph H. Yedder, Secretary. 

Committee, — Allan P. ISTorthrup, J. W. Barstow and E. M. 
Griswold. 

Flushing, March 22d, 185S 

Ifessrs. G. C. Bal-er, A. F. Northrup, J. W. Barstow, M. B., 
E. M. Griswold, Joseph H. Veclder, M. I)., Committee, &c^ 
Gentlemen, 

Your note of March 22d, 1858, "was 
duly received and appreciated. Li accordance with the re- 
quest it contains, I now place in your hands my little loaf 
of homemade bread. You maj- think it has been a long 
time in baking. True, yet not so long as it would have 
been, but for my removal from the village. Had I continu- 
ed to reside in j'our midst I should in all likelihood have 
further prosecuted my investigations, aud gathered addi- 



tional items of interest. But my change of residence has 
rendered this labor exceedingly inconvenient, and I there- 
fore conclude to give you what material I have. It is not as 
perfect as I could desire, or as it might be made with longer 
time. It makes no pretension to perfection either in man- 
ner or matter. It is simply a small contribution to a valua- 
ble local history hitherto unwritten. It is as reliable and as 
full as I could make it with the materials at command. I 
have not made a single statement for which I did not be- 
lieve the authority sufficient. If on any subject I have been 
misinformed, or if I make statements not founded in truth, 
it is not because diligent, honest endeavors have not been 
made to ascertain the facts. My long delay in placing the 
manuscripts in your hands must be attributed, in part, to 
my desire to secure correctness, and obtain all that was re- 
liable in our history — and in part also to the numerous and 
long interruptions to which I am necessarily subject by the 
duties of my calling. 

As the lecture was originally prepared merely for delivery, 
the authority for each separate statement was not noted at the 
time ; and cannot now be fixed without considerable labor. I 
prefer therefore, to name in this place, the sources whence I 
have drawn the materials which I have endeavored to weave 
together in the following narrative : " Documents relating 
to the Colonial History of the Sate of New York;" " Broad- 
head's Colonial History ;" " Thompson's History of Long 
Island ;" " Onderdonk's Queens County Incidents ;" " Census 
of the Sate of New York for 1855 ;" also data of manuscript 
furnished by Rev. J. Carpenter Smith, of St. George's 
Church, Flushing; MSS. belonging to the Bowne family; 
MSS. of Henry Onderdonk, Jr., of Jamaica; MSS. in 
possession of Robert Townsend, Esq., of Albany ; MSS. 



in possession of Eev. F, L. Hawks, D. D. LL. D,, of New 
York ; and items furoished by James Riker, Jr. author of 
of the History of Newtown, L. I. To all of these gentle- 
men I would make grateful acknowledgments of obligation 
for their courtesy, kindness and assistance. I would also 
express my thanks to those of our citizens who have in any 
wise aided me in this matter. 

I can not omit to make my most thankful obligations to 
the gentlemen of the Committee ; and especially to Mr. 
Geo. C. Baker and to Joseph H. Vedder, M. D., for their 
c )urteous treatment and very valuable assistance. 

If this effort may but serve to stimulate enquiry and ef- 
fort in this direction on the part of some one better quali- 
fied and having more leisure for the work than myself, I 
shall feel abundantly repaid for my labor. I should be very 
much gratified to see a full and perfect history of your vil- 
lage, in which I have spent eight of the best years of my 
life in honest and prayerful labors, for its welfare — with 
which are connected some of my pleasantest associations 
and of whose inhabitants there are not a few whom I re- 
joice to call my " friends." 

As my manuscript was mainly written previously to my 
removal, I have retained throughout the first personal pro- 
noim " our" instead of changing it to the second *' your." 

With these few explanatory remarks, by way of preface, 
I commit the MSS to your hands. 
With much esteem, I am. 

Yours, very respectfully, 

G. HENRY MANDEVILLE. 

Head Quarters^ Parsonage, 

Newhurgh, Dec. I7th, 1859. 



CHAPTER. I. 

BURNING OF RECORDS— PATENT OF INCORPORA- 
TION—STATISTICS, &c. 

The work of the historical chronicler is a work 
of severe toil. No one, unaccustomed to researches 
of this kind, can form an adequate conception of 
the difficulty and labor of collecting, arranging 
and connecting materials so as to form an inter- 
esting and instructive narrative. Although this 
volume is small and unpretending, yet the l^bor 
of preparing it has been far greater than its, size 
indicates. The chief difficulty has arisen from 
the fact that the records of the town have been 
destroyed. They were kept in the residence of 
John Vanderbilt, Town Clerk. In October, 1789, 
his house, with the Eecords, was consumed by fire. 
Nelly, a slave of D. Braine, and Sarah, a slave of 
J. Vanderbilt were the incendiaries. They were 
brought to trial ; Nelly was convicted as principal, 
and Sarah as accessory before the fact. Both 
were sentenced to be hung on the 15th of Octo- 
ber, 1790. 

By this calamity we were deprived of those 

sources of full and authentic information in refer- 
2 



10 

ence to the earlier history of our town which most 
other towns have preserved. Hence we are ne- 
cessitated to glean such facts as have dropped 
from official documents, private letters, and tra- 
ditional reports. With these, scanty as they are, 
and only sufficient to whet the appetite of the 
hungry searcher after antiquarian lore, we must 
be content. 

The place began to be settled about 1643 — 4. 
The first settlers, were not Hollanders, as many, 
I find, suppose, but English ; although doubtless 
both Holland and French emigrants soon settled 
among them. They fled from England to Hol- 
land, because they could not enjoy religious free- 
dom in their own land; and Holland was then the 
asylum for the oppressed of all lands. They 
named their settlement ^^Vlissingen,'* after a town 
of the same name in Holland. This, in after 
years, was anglicized into " Flushing^' 

In the " Remonstrance of New Netherland to 
the States General of the United Netherlands," 
which is dated the 28th of July, 1649, Long Isl- 
and is called " a crown of the province by reason 
of its great advantage of excellent bays. and har- 
bors as well as convenient and fertile land " — 
Among its towns is one named " Flushing, which 
is a handsome village and tolerably stocked with 
cattle." Our village, by this evidence, was re- 



11 

Downed, even in olden time, for its beauty and 
thrift. 

The settlers were, many of them, men of some 
means. It was not so however with all. Some 
were compelled to sell their services after their 
arrival to pay for their passage hither. As illus- 
trative of this we find among the papers in pos- 
sesion of the Bowne family the following contract : 

" It is contracted between John Bowne, inhabit- 
ant in Flushing, in ye province of New Neth- 
erlands, in America, on ye one part, and *James 
Clement of ye Buthrop-Bridge of Durham, in ye 
kingdom of England, on ye other part. That is 
to say, that ye sayd James Clement do hereby 
bind and obligate myself to ye most of my power 
truly and faithfully to serve ye sayd John Bowne, 
his heirs and assigns, ye full term of six years 
after my arrival at ye habitation of ye sayd John 
Bowne, and to pay one-half of my freight or pas- 
sage from ye place of embarkation to ye place of 
ye aforesaid mansion. In performance of ye pro- 
mise by ye sayd James Clement ye aforesaid 
John Bowne do hereby bind and obligate myself, 
heirs and assigns to pay or cause to be paid to ye 
said James Clement ye full quantity of two hun- 

*On the list of inhabitants for the year 1693 occurs the name of 
James Clement — probably thia very man. 



12 

dred and forty pound weight of Tobacco, and suf- 
ficient to clothe him with two suits of Apparell, 
one fit to Labor, ye other fit to use on other 
occasions. John Bowne, 

James Clement. 
John Lodge, Witness. 

Sylvanus Halford, Witness. 

Amsterdam, in Hollandj 

the 30th day of the ^th mo.^ 1663, new style. 

They were men of courage to face and overcome 
difficulties and hardships, incident to their situa- 
tion in a new settlement, in a new country. 

They were men of noble spirit. They were not 
afraid nor ashamed to work with their own hands. 
Labor was not considered a disgrace. The ple- 
beian-touch of a poor man was not a contamination, 
To work, even in the service of another, was not 
a sign of inferiority, intellectually or socially. 
We find accordingly that this very John Bowne, 
who was one of the largest land proprietors, and 
should be reckoned among the wealthiest in those 
days of democratic simplicity, — honestly makes 
this record in his journal ; " Monday, Jan'y 7th, 
1649, I entered into Mr. Phillip's service, for 
which service I am to have five shillings for every 
week, one-half in money, and one-half in wine" 
(he was not then a Friend) " to myself or whom I 




S-^, GEORGES EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 



13 • 

shall assign, and also my diet and lodging and 
washing, for so long as I shall please to stay with 
him, I being free at every week's end if I will. 

John Bowne." 

It should however be stated, that some doubt 
has been thrown over the genuineness of this ex- 
tract — it being a copy and not the original journal. 
But we conceive th^t the fact mentioned is entirely 
characteristic of the men and the times. The 
very independent nature of the compact shows 
that it was not a necessity, but a voluntary mat- 
ter — to be continued only until he should see an 
opportunity of locating himself permanently upon 
his own land. To our mind its truth is more 
probable than its falsity. 

Incorporation. The first patent of Incorpora- 
tion of the Town of Flushing was granted by the 
Dutch Governor, William Keift, and was dated 
October 10th, 1645. This was renewed under the 
English authority. The renewal-charter was 
dated March 24th, 1685 These manuscripts were 
probably lost in the fire- previously noted. The 
only manuscript the Town has, relative to its In- 
corporation, is termed an " Exemplification of 
Flushiiig Patent." It is dated Feb. 24th, 1792 ; 
one hundred and seven years after the renewal by 
the English, and one hundred and forty-seven 
years after the original grant by the Dutch autho- 
2* 



I" 

rities. We found it in possession of Capt. George 
B. Eoe, who kindly placed a copy at our disposal. 
It is only sixty-seven years old, but already many 
parts are nearly obliterated and can with difficulty 
be deciphered. Believing its preservation desira- 
ble, and that the inhabitants of Flushing would 
like to read the charter by which they hold their 
possessions we present it entire, as follows : 

" The People of the State of New York, by 
the Grace of God free and independent : 'i o all 
whoni these presents shall come, Send greeting. 
Know ye that we having inspected the Records 
remaining in our Secretary's office, Do find there 
in Book of pattent No. 5, certaine Letters Patent 
Recorded at the 215 page of the said Book, in 
the words and figures following, to wit : * Re- 
corded for the Inhabitants of Flushing, March 
24th, 1685. Thomas Dongan, Lieut. Governor 
and Vice-Admiral of New Yorke, under his Majes- 
ty James the Second, by the Grace of God, of 
England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King, 
Defender of the Faith, &c,, Supreme Lord and 
Proprietor of the Colony and Province of New 
York and its Dependencies in America, &c. To 
all to whom this shall come, Sendeth Greeting — 
Whereas Richard Nicoll, Esq., formerly Governor 
General of this Province, under his Royal High- 
ness James, Duke of York and Albany, and of all 



15 

his Territoryes in America, &c., hath by his cer- 
taine writing or patent, bearing date the fifteenth 
day of February, in the nineteenth year of his 
Majesty's Eeigne, Anno. Dom. one thousand six 
hundred and sixty-six, given and granted unto 
John Lawrence, Alderman of the Citty of New 
York, Richard Cornell, Charles Bridges, William 
Lawrence, Robert Terry, William Noble, John 
Forbush, Elias Doughty, Robert Field, Edward 
FarringtoD, John Marston, Anthony Field, Phillip 
Udall, Thomas Stiles, Benjamin Field, William 
Pidgeon, John Adams, John Hinchman, Nicholas 
P'arcell, Tobias Feakes and John Bowne, as Pat- 
tentees for and in the behalf of themselves and 
their Associates, the Freeholders and Inhabitants 
of the Town of Flushing, their heirs, successors 
and Inhabitants for ever, all that certaine Town in 
the North Riding of Yorkshire, upon Long Island, 
called by the name of Flushing, Scituate lying and 
being in the north side of the said island ; which 
said hath a certaine tract of land belonging there- 
unto, and bounded westward beginning at the 
mouth of a creeke upon the East River, known 
by the name of Flushing Creeke, and from thence 
including a certain neck of land called Tuesneck, 
to run Eastward as far as Matthew Garretson's 
Bay, from the head or middle whereof a Line is 
to be run South East, in length about three miles 



16 

and about two miles in breadth, as the Land hath 
been surveyed and laid out by virtue of an order 
made at the General Meeting, held at the town of 
Hemstead, in the month of March, one thousand 
six hundred and sixty-four; then that theire may 
be the same lattitude in Breadth on the South 
side as on the North, to run in two direct lines 
Southward to the middle of the hills as is direct- 
ed by another order made of the Generall Meeting 
aforesaid, which passing East and West, as the 
two are now markt is the Bounds between the 
said Towns of Flushing and Jamaica, for the 
greatest parte of which said tract of Land and 
premissess there was heretofore a Pattent Granted 
from the Dutch Governor, William Keift, bearing 
date the tenth day of October, one thousand six 
hundred and forty-five, stilo novo, unto Thomas 
Farrington, John Lawrence, John Hicks, and di- 
vers others pattentees, their successors, associates 
and assignees, for them to improve, manure and 
settle a competent number of familyes thereupon, 
as by the said pattent remaining upon Eecord in 
the Secretary's ofiice, relacion being thereto had, 
may fully and att large appeare ; and whereas for 
a further strengthening of the aforesaid Title and 
peaceable enjoyment of the premissess, and to take 
away utterly and destroy all cause, matters and 
pretences of controversie or variance that might 



17 

at any time arise from Tackaponshee, Sachem 
Quassauwascoe, Suscananian, R\imsuck, and We- 
rah, Catharum, Nimham, Shunthewehan, Ninhan's 
Sonne and Oposon Indians, or any other person or 
persons whether Christian or Indian, Clajmeingby 
from or under them, those following persons de- 
puted by order and on the behalfe of the town of 
Flushing : Elias Doughty, Thomas Willett, John 
Bowne, Matthias Harvey, Thomas Hicks, Eich- 
ard Cornell, John Hinchman, Jonathan Wright 
and Samuel Hoyt agents of the Freeholders of 
the Towne of Flushing, did for and on the Behalfe 
of the said Towne in Generall — their Heirs and As- 
sociates, by a certain writing or Indenture made, 
concluded and confirmed on the fourteenth day of 
Aprill, and in the year of our Lord one thousand 
six hundred eighty-four, buy and purchase by my 
permission and approbacion from the before men- 
cioned Indians" (here follow the same jaw-break- 
ing names) " all the lands situate lying and being 
on the North Side of Long Island, called and 
knowne by the name of Flushing, within Queens 
County, the first bounds whereof begin to the 
West with Flushing Creeke, to the South by Ja- 
maica Line, to the East by Hemstead Line, and 
to the North with the Sound, for and in consid- 
eration of a valuable sume then received, before 
the signing and sealinji: of the aforesaid writing 



18 

to the full sattisfaceion of the Indians, as by the 
aforesaid writing or Indenture, relacion thereto 
being had, dothe more fully and att large appeare. 
And whereas by articles of agreement dated the 
sixth day of March, 167/o, made between the 
said Towne of Flushing and Jamaica, the Inhab- 
itants thereof have fully concluded upon a per- 
petuall Bounds as follows : that from the fott or 
Bottome of the hills upon the South side the 
Towne of Jamaica shall have Seven Score Rodd 
upon a direct or straight Pointe unto the hills in 
all places from the Eastermost Bounds of Jamai- 
ca, being at a marked Walnutt tree, upon Rockie 
hill, standing upon the west side of the Road be- 
tween Flushing and Hem stead, to the Wester- 
most Bounds of Jamaica and Flushing in the 
hills, as by the said agreement, refference being 
thereto had may fully appeare. And whgreas by 
another certaine writing or agreement dated the 
last day of June, one thousand six hundred eighty- 
four, made by Elias Doughty, John Seaman, Tho- 
mas Willett and John Jackson, that the Bounds 
between the Towne of Flushing and Hempstead 
are to begin at the middle of the Bay where Oapt. 
Jacques runn the line, and to hold the same untill 
it comes to the land called by the name of the 
Governor's Land, and then from the South side 
of the Governor's Land towards the end of the 



19 

plaine to the former markt tree that stands in the 
Hollow, and to run from thence upon a direct line 
unto the Rocky hill Westerly where carts usually 
goe to Flushing as by the said agreement rela- 
cion being thereto had, may likewise appeare ; 
and whereas the said Pattentees and their associ- 
ates the freeholders and Inhabitants of the said 
Towne of Flushing hereafter named, have accord- 
ing to the Custom and Practice in this Province 
made several divisions, allottments, distinct settle- 
ments and improvements of severall pieces and par- 
cells of the above recited tract of Land, within the 
liraitts abovesaid at their own proper cost and 
charge : And whereas applycacion hath been made 
to me by Joseph Smith and Jonathan Wright, 
persons deputed from the said ToWne of Flushing, 
for a confirmacion of the aforesaid Tract or parcell 
of land and premissess contained in the aforesaid 
pattent as it hath since been limited, butted and 
bounded by the before mencioned agreement of the 
Towne of Flushing with the Townes of Jamaica 
and Hemstead ; now for' a Confirmacion unto the 
present Freeholders and Inhabitants of the said 
Towne, their heires and assignes, in the Quiett and 
peaceable possession and enjoyment of the afore- 
said Tract of Land and premises, Know Yee, 
that by virtue of the Commission and Authority 
unto me given, and power in me residing, I have 



20 

ratified, confirmed and granted unto Thomas Wil- 
lett, John Lawrence Seignor, Elias Doughty, 
Eichard Cornell, Moriss Smith, Charles Morgan, 
Mary Fleake, Wouter Gisbertson, John Masten, 
John Cornells, John Harrison, Denius Holdron, 
John Hinchman, "William Yeates, Joseph Thorne, 
John Lawrence Junior, Matthias Harveye, Har- 
manus King, John Farrington, Thomas Wil- 
liams, Elizabeth Osborne, Joseph Havyland, John 
Washborne, Aaron Cornells, John Bowne, Wil- 
liam Noble, Samuel Hoyt, Madeline Frances 
Burto, John Hoper, Thomas Ford, John Jenning, 
John Embree, Jonathan Wright, Nicholas Par- 
cell, William Lawrence, Richard Townly, Ed- 
ward Grififin Seignor, David Eoe, Richard Tin- 
dall, Edward Griffin Junior, John Lawrence at 
the White Stone, Henry Taylor, Jasper Smith, 
Richard Wilday, Thomas Townsend, John 
Thorne, Anthony Field, John Adams, Richard 
Stockton, James Wittaker, Hugh Copperthwaite, 
Richard Chew, James Clement, Margaret Stiles, 
Samuel Thorne, Thomas Hedges, William Havi- 
land, Thomas Hicks, John Terry, David Patrick, 
James Feake, Thorns Kimacry, Phillip Udall, 
Thomas Davis, Edward Farrington, Thomas 
Farrington, Matthew Farrington, John Field, Jo- 
seph Hedger, John Talman, William Gaed, Wil- 
liam White, Elizabeth Smith, Thomas Partridge, 



21 

William Hedger, Benjamin Field, the present 
freeholders and Inhabitants of the said Towne 
of Flushing, their heires.and assignes for ever, 
all the before recited tract and Parcell or neck 
of land set forth limited and bounded as afore- 
said by the aformencioned patent Indian deed of 
sale and agreements, together with all and singu- 
lar the houses. Messuages, Tenements, Fencings, 
Buildings, Gardens, Orchards, Trees, Woods, Un- 
derwoods, Highways and Easements whatsoever, 
belonging or in any wayes appertaining to any of 
the afore recited tract, Parcell or neck of land, di- 
visions, Allottments and settlements made and ap- 
propriated before the day and the date hereof: 
To Have and to hold all the said tract of land 
and premissess with theire and every of theire ap- 
purtenances to the severall and respective uses 
following and to and for no other use, intent, and 
purpose whatsoever, that is to say, as for and con- 
cerning all and singular the severall and respective 
parcells of land and meadow-parte of the grant 
ed premissess in any wise taken up, divided, al- 
lotted, settled and appropriated before the day of 
the date hereof, with the severall and respective 
present Inhabitants and Freeholders, Thomas 
Willett (here follow the same names last men- 
tioned) to the use and behoof of the said luhab- , 

itants and Freeholders respectively, and theire 
3 



22 

several! and respective heires and assignes for 
ever : And as for and concerning all and every 
such parcel! or parcells tract or tracts of Land 
and Meadow Remainder of tlie Granted premisses 
not yet taken up or appropriated to any particular 
person or persons before the day of the date here- 
of, to the use and behoof of the purchasers above 
recited, and to their heires and assignes for ever, 
to be equally divided in proportion to the above 
recited Inhabitants and Freeholders aforesaid, 
and to their respective heires and assignes for 
ever without any let, hindrance or molestacion to 
be had or reserved upon pretence of joint tenancy 
or survivorship or any thing herein contained to 
the contrary in any wise notwithstanding : To be 
holden of his Most Sacred Majesty, his heires and 
successors in free and common succage according 
to the tenure of East Greenwich in the Kingdom 
of England. Yielding therefore and paying yeare- 
!y and every yeare an acknowledgement or quit 
rent to his Majesty, his heires and successors as 
aforesaid, or to such officer or officers as shall by 
him or them be appointed to receive the same at 
New Yorke, in liew of all services and demands 
whatsoever Sixteen Bushells of good Marchanta- 
ble winter Wheate on every five and twentyeth 
day of March. In testimony whereof I have 
caused these presents to be entered upon record 



23 

in the Secretarye's office of this Province, and the 
Seale of the Said Province to be hereunto affixed 
the 23d day of March, in the yeare of our Lord 
one thousand six hundred eighty-five, and in the 
Second yeare of his Majesty's Reigne, &c. 

Thomas Dougan, niay it please your Honor, 
The Atturney Generall hath perused this Pattent 
and finds nothing contained therein prejudicial! 
to his Majesty's interest. 

Examined March 23d, 1685. 

Ja. Graham.' 
"All which we have caused to be exemplified by 
these presents. In testimony whereof we have 
caused these our Letters to be made patent, and 
the Great Seal of our State to be hereunto affix- 
ed. Witness our truly and well-beloved George 
Clinton, Esquire, Governor of our Said State, 
General and Commander in Chief of all the Mi- 
litia and Admiral of the same, at our City of 
New York, the twenty-fourth day of February, 
in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hun- 
dred and ninety-two, and in the sixteenth year of 
our Independence." 

The -Seal last mentioned is still attached to the 
document. It is made of wax, covered with pa- 
per. It is truly a " Great Seal," being f of an 
inch in thickness and 3J inches in diameter. On 
the outer rim of the one side are stamped the 



24 

worcfs "The Great Seal of the State of New 
York." In the centre is a figur.e designed to re- 
present the rising sun. Underneath is the noble 
motto of our State — to which may she ever be 
nobly true in all that enlightens, elevates and 
blesses her citizens — " Excelsior." On the lower 
rim of the other side, is the date, in which the 
Colony was transmuted into the Siate of New 
York, 1777 ; on the the upper rim the Latin ad- 
verb *'/rusira,^^ (in vain) ; in the centre a huge 
rock in the midst of the sea, with the waves dash- 
ing furiously against it ; the whole designed, I 
suppose, to represent that the State of New York 
will stand firm as the rock for ever — that the bil- 
lows of rebellion, revolution and war may dash 
against it, but to no purpose. They will spend 
their strength for nought. God of nations, grant 
that it may be verified to the latest generation ? 
Where is the son of New York who will not re- 
spond with a fervent " Amen" to this petition ? 
Nay, where is the son or daughter of these United 
States that will refuse to pour out this prayer for 
the whole country — for every State that now is, or 
may hereafter be incorporated into this wonderful 
confederacy of Republics, upon which the bless- 
ings of Divine Providence have so signally been 
bt^stowed. Palsied be the arm that would blot a 
single "Star" from the galaxy that beautifies our 



*25 

Country's contstellated Ensign, now blazing forth 
its radiance to an admiring world ! 

Census. — Exceedingly scanty are the data of 
early population in the country. The first at- 
tempt at Census-taking was made under Governor 
Dongan, in 1686, who, Oct. 4th, ordered the Sher- 
iff of each county to make reports on or before 
the 1st of April following. These and all the 
other statistics give mainly the county totals, not 
the details of towns and villages. We give be- 
low a few of the more prominent and important 
items as specimens. Each can form his own 
opinion as to the proportion belonging to Flush- 
ing. In Queen's County in 

Men. Women. Children. Negroes. Total. 

1698 ... 1465. ---1350 551 199 3565 

WHITES. 
Men. Women, M. Children. F Children. 

1723 ... 1568 1599 . . . 1530 ... 1371 6068 

NEGROES AND OTHER SLAVES. 

1723 393 294 228 208 1123 



Total, 7191 

WHITES. 
Males Females Males Females 

above 16. above 16. uTider 16. under 16. 

1749 . . . 1659 1778. . . 1630. . . 1550 6617 

BLACKS. 

1749 300 245 429 349 1323 



Total, 7940 



3* 



26 



1771 

1771 





WHITES. 






Males 
under 16. 


Males Females 
above 16. under 16. 


Females 
above 16. 




-1253.. 


-.3033... 2126 -. 

BLACKS. 


..2332.. 


.28744 


..374.. 


...782 545.. 


..-534.. 


..2235 



Total, 10.979 

Electors owning Freeholds, Electors not freeholders, 
worth worth renting tenements of 

£100 & over. from £20 to S, 100. annual value of 408. 



1790 


1274 


1397 


438 


1795 


1372 


303 


557 


1801 


1G59 


158 


558 



worth worth from annual other 

& over. $60 to $250. value of $5. free male citizens. 

1821 2080 254 814 1067 

Valuation of estates in the Town of Flushing, 
1675, October 9th; 

Acres 
Negeres. Land. Meadow. Horses. Oxen. Cows. Swine. Sheep, 

19 151 441 59 7 180 103 391 

Rate, 6ei8 3s. lOd. 
September 29th, 1683, the total of Flushing es- 
timates amounted to £2Q 15s. lOd. . 

Slaves in Queen's County, in years 

1790 I 1800 I 1810 I 18 14 | 1820 
2039 I 1528 j 809 | 630~^|~559 

In 1817, March 31st, the Act was passed free- 
ing the slaves born after July 4th, 1797 — males 
at 28, females at 25 years of age. Every child 
born after the passage of the Act was free at 21. 



27 
Comparative population of the Town of Flushing. 

1790 I 1800 I 1810 I 1814 | 1830 | 1840 | 1850 | 1855 
1607 I 1818 I 2230 | 2271 | 2820 | 4124 | 5376 | 7970 

The classification for 1855 is as follows : 

WHITES. BLACKS. 

Males, Females, Males. Females. 

3699 3734 260 277 

Voters.S 
Single, Married, Widowers, Widows, Natives, Katuralized, 

4834 2865 74 197 781 444 

No. of Owners Over 21 years not Over 21 years can 
Aliens, families, of land, able to read or write, read but not write, 

1943 1500 657 338 154 

The population of the village of Flushing, was in 

1855 ' 3488 

Whitestone, 630 

Strattonport 1150 

Agricultural Statistics for 1855. 

Bushels harvested, No. of Acres, 

Winter Wheat,. . . 141191 

Oats, 20763 879 

Eye, 4195 289 

Barley, 580 24 

Buckwheat, 1864 262 

Corn, 42476 1359J 

Potatoes, 36489 975f 

In the appendix we have given a list of families in Flushing, (includ- 
ing English, Dutch and French) from 1645 to 1698, gathered from va- 
rious old records and documents, by Henry Onderdonk, Jr., of Ja» 
maica, L. I. 



28 



CHAPTER II. 

INDIANS— INDIAN TITLE— COLONIAL INCIDENTS, Ac. 

The tribe of Indians which inhabited this section 
of the Island was the Matinecock. It was very 
numerous, and claimed jurisdiction over the lands 
*' East of Newtown as far as the West line of Smith- 
town." Large banks of clam and oyster shells 
are still to be seen in several localites — showing 
that they were not strangers to the esculent pro- 
perties of a good "bake," or a fine *'fry." "The 
"Wampum" made in this section of the Island was 
considered superior to any in circulation among 
the Indians. Stone and other hatchets and toma- 
hawks have been found in several sections and are 
in possession of some of our citizens. 

When land was purchased from the Indians, the 
price paid them was one axe for fifty acres. Wam- 
pum, passing as money, was the only circulating 
medium. Tradition reports that once upon a time 
an English Shilling was found about a mile from 
the landing, on the road to Manhasset. Whence 
could it have come 1 Who could have lost so 
unusual a possession ? One tradition says, that 
after considerable difficulty it was traced to an 
English peddler who had passed through the 
place ; another traces its ownership to a person 



29 

who kept a small store at the head of the bay. 
This latter individual also owned a large boat 
which he had purchased from the Indians, and 
which would carry a hogshead of molasses, and 
three or four passengers, and with which he made 
voyages to and from New Amsterdam. 

The last Indian grant of Flushing, was made 
April 14th, 1684. An indenture between "Sack- 
apowsha" and other Indians, ** the true owners 
and proprietors of all the lands scituate, &c.'* call- 
ed Flushing, " sell for good reasons, &c." the 
same "unto Elias Doughty, Thomas Willett, John 
Bowne, Matthyas Harvey, Thomas Hickes, Rich- 
ard Cornell, John Hinchman, Jonathan Wright 
and Samuel Hoyt," the agents of the freeholders 
of the said town — " the Indians reserve the privi- 
ledge of cutting hulrushes forever within the said 
tract." 

April 10th, 1693. The name of Long Island 
was altered to the *' Island of Nassau." This 
change was made from motives of political vanity. 
The name was never explicitly repealed ; yet it 
was never a popular favorite and gradually was 
dropped and became obsolete. 

After the re-capture by the Dutch, in 1673, at 
a meeting of Council of War, "holden in Fort 
William Hendrick, the 13th of August, A. D., 
1673," the five English towns, Flushing Heem- 



30 

stede, Rustdorp or Jamaica, Middelborg or New- 
town, and Oysterbay, "were summoned and order- 
ed to submit to their High Mightinesses, the 
Lords States-General of the United Netherlands, 
and His Serene Highness the Prince of Orange, 
etc., and to send hither immediately their Depu- 
ties, together with their Constable's staves and 
English flags, when they would, as circumstances 
permit, be furnished with Prince's flags instead of 
those of the English." 

August 22d. The Deputies of Flushing appear- 
ed, handed in 'one flag and one Constable's staff," 
and also presented a petition wherein they declare 
their submission, &c., whereupon it was resolved 
that " the same privileges and rights which are 
given to the inhabitants and subjects of the Dutch 
nation shall, in like manner, be granted and allow- 
ed them, &c." — " with this warning, nevertheless, 
that the petitioners shall in future demean them- 
seves as loyal subjects, and attempt in nowise, as 
some have formerly/lone, contrary to honor and 
oath, for which they are now pardoned on their 
request and submission, to take up arms against 
this government, under the penalty that the 
transgressors shall, without any mercy or favor, 
be totally ruined and punished as they deserve." 

The five towns were also ordered " to cause to be 
jiominated by their Commonalty, and to present 



31 

the names of three persons for Schout, and three 
for Secretary, and six persons for Magistrates" 
fot each town. 

At a meeting of Council, 31st August, the fol- 
lowing were elected for the five towns : 
For Schout — William Lawrence, 
" Secretary — Casel Van Brugge. 

For Schepens of Flushing : 
John Hingsman, ^ g^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^ 

August 29th was adopted the following form of 
oath, '' to be taken by the inhabitants of the Eng- 
lish Nation :" 

*• We do sware in the presence of the Almighty 
God, tthat wee shall be true and faithfull to the 
the United Provinces of his Serene Highnesse the 
Highand Mighty Lords, the Staets Gennerall of 
Lord Prince of Orange, and to their Governors 
here for the tyme being, and to behave orselves 
uppon all occasions, as true and lawfull subjects, 
provided only, that wee shall not be forced in ar- 
mes against our owne nation if they be sent by 
authority of his Majesty of England, except they 
be accompanied by a commission of force of other 
nations when wee do oblidge orselves to take up 
arms against them. So help us God." 

Capt. Knyff, Lieut. Hubert and Clerk Hermans 



32 

"were commissioned to administer the Oatli, and 
on Sept. 22d, they reported : 

" Flushing 67 men, 51 of whom have taken the 
oath ; the remainder absent, are ordered as 
above — (that is to take the oath before the Schout 
or Secretary.) Among these are twenty Dutch.'* 

Gov. Oolve, ''this 21st Xber, 1673," addresses 
a letter to William Lawrence, to be communicated 
to the five English towns. In this, after stating 
that he had made a visit to some of the Dutch 
towns and regretting that want of time prevented 
his doing so to the others, he says: "Wherefore I 
have thought fitt to salute you by these Lines, 
and witthall to recommend unto you as you wish 
the welfare and tranquility of yourselves to be 
true and faithfull according to your Oaths and 
Promises, and not to be deluded by any Illmind- 
ed Spirits, as some of the Eastern Townes very 
unwisely have falsified the same, whona due tyme 
as rebellious will reipe the fruit thereof. You are 
also Required to take care that good order be kept 
in your Eespective Townes, and if any thing should 
be attempted by any in prejudice to ye govern- 
ment in generall, or any of your Townes in Par- 
ticular to give me Imediate Notice thereof not 
doubting with ye help & assistance of God, fully to 
maintaine all true Subjects in their Eights and 
privileges against all them that shall attempt any 



thing in prejudice of the same. Soe Recommend- 
ing you to ye protextion of ye almighty God. I 

rest. 

Your Loving ffriend.'' 

Jan'y 17th, 1648. John Townsend, Edward 
(Hart, ?) Thomas Styles, John Lawrence and John 
Hicks were summoned to appear before Gov. Stuy- 
vesant and Council, on Jan'y 23d, as the principal 
persons who resist the Dutch mode of choosing 
Sheriff, ** pretending it is against the adopted 
course in the Fatherland" — and who refuse to 
contribute their share of the maintenance of the 
" christian, pious, reformed Minister ;" and if they 
refuse, to be apprehended and prosecuted by the 
Attorney General. 

This is the first symptom of positive resistance 
to the authority of the Dutch Governor. It had 
been agitating for sometime, and continued to fo- 
ment afterwards. It directed itself with peculiar 
emphasis against the endeavor to enforce confor" 
mity to the State church. Although religious 
liberty was the glory of the Fatherland, was espe- 
cially provided for and guaranteed in the colonial 
charters and was commanded upon the Governors, 
still these latter magnates, in the exercise of their 
•* brief authority," disregarded these enactments 
and attempted to coerce the consciences of their 
4 



34 

subjects. As in New England among the Puri- 
tans, so in New Netherlands among the Dutch, 
the Quakers, then a new and growing sect, were 
the objects of especial dislike and persecution* 
Not a few of the inhabitants of Flushing were 
subjected to sufferings for conscience sake. Among 
others Henry Townsend, Sept. 15th, 1657, was 
condemned in an amende of <£S Flanders^ or else 
to depart from the province within six weeks, for 
having called together conventicles. This at once 
aroused the people of Flushing and Jamaica, and 
they assembled and addressed the following spirit- 
ed document to the Governor : 
" Remonstrance of Inhabitants of Flushing and 
Jamaica, to Gov. Stuyvesant. 

*•" Eight Honorable — You have been pleased to 
send up unto us a certain prohibition or command 
that we should not retaine or entertaine any of 
those people called Quakers, because they are 
supposed to be by some, seducers of the people. 
For our part we cannot condemn them in this case, 
neither can we stretch out our hands against them, 
to punish, banish or persecute them, for out of 
Christ God is a consuming fire, and it is a fearful 
thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 

Wee desire therefore in this case not to judge 
least we be judged, neither to condemn least we 



35 

be condemned, but rather let every man stand or 
fall to his own Maister. Wee are commande by 
the Law to doe good unto all men, especially to 
those of the JwuseJioId of Faith, And though for 
the present we seem to be insensible of the law 
and the Lawgiver, yet when death and the law 
assault us, if wee have our advocake to seeke 
who shall plead for us in this case of conscience 
betwixt God and our own souls, the powers of this 
world can neither assist us, neither excuse us, 
for if God justifye who can condemn ; and if God 
condemn there is none can justifye. And for those 
jealousies and suspicions which some have of 
them, that they are destructive unto Magistracy 
& Ministerye, (this) can not bee, for the magis- 
trate hath the sword in his hand, and the minister 
hath the sword in his hand — as witnesse those two 
great examples which all magistrates and minis 
ters are to follow, (Moses) and Christ, whom God 
raised up maintained and defended against all 
the enemies both of Flesh and Spirit ; and there- 
fore that which is of God will stand, and that 
which is of man will come to nothing. And as 
the Lorde hath taught Moses or the civil powers 
to give an outward liberty in the state by the law 
written in his hearte for the good of all, and can 
truly judge who is good, who is evil, who is true, 
and who is false, and can pass definite sentence of 



3a 

life or death against that man which rises up against 
the fundamental law of the States General. Soe he 
hath made his ministers a savour of life unto life, 
and a savour of death unto death. The laws of 
Love, Peace and Liberty in the state extending to 
Jews, Turks and Egyptians, as they are considered 
the sonnes of Adam, which is the glory of the out- 
ward state of Holland, soe Love, Peace and Liberty, 
extending to all in Christ Jesus, condemns hatred, 
War and Bondage. And because our Saviour 
saith it is impossible but that offences will come, 
but woe unto him by whom they cometh, our de- 
sire is not to offend one of his little ones, in what- 
soever form, name or title hee appears in, whether 
Presbyterian, Independent, Baptist or Quaker, but 
shall be glad to see any thing of God in any of 
them, desiring to doe unto all men, as wee desire 
that all men should doe unto us, which is the true 
law both of church and state; for our Saviour 
saith this is the law and the prophets. Therefore 
if any of these said persons come in love unto us, 
"^Q cannot in conscience lay violent hands upon them, 
but give them free egresse and regresse into our 
Town and house, as God shall persuade our con- 
sciences. And in this we are true subjects both 
of church and state, for we are bonnde by the law 
of God and man to doe good unto all men and 
evil to noe man. 4.nd this is according to the pat- 



37 

tent and charter of our Towr.e, given unto us in 
the name of the States Gene rail, which we are 
not willing to infringe and violate, but shall houlde 
to our pattent and shall remaineyour humble sub- 
jects, the inhabitants of Vlissengen, — Written this 
27th of December, in the year 1657, by race, 

Edw^ard Hart, Clerk. 

Tobias Feake, 
William Noble, 
"Nicholas Parsell, 
William Thorne, Seignior, 
Michael Milner, 
William Thorne, Junior, 
Henry Townsend, 
Nicholas Blackford, 
George Wright, 
Edward Tark, 
John Foard, 
Mirabel fre, 
Henry Bamtell, 
John Stour, 
Nathaniel (Coles ?) 
Benjamin Hubbard, 
Edward Hart, 
John Maidon, 
John Townsend, 

Edward Farrington, 
4* 



38 

Philip Ed, 

William Pidgion, 

George Blee, (?) 

Elias Doughtie, 

Antonie Field, 

Richard Horton, 

Edward Griffin, 

Nathaniel (Coe, ?) 

Robert Field, Seiner, 

Robert Field, Junior. 

Tobias Feake, the Sheriff." 
But it was of no avail. The sturdy old 
Dutch Governor was unrelenting. The persecu- 
tion against the Quakers was persevered in with 
increasing violence. The Sheriff, delivering the 
document, was immediately arrested by order of 
Stuyvesant, by Nicassius De Sille, his Attorney 
General. Farrington and Noble, two of the 
signers, and also Magistrates were likewise ar- 
rested and imprisoned. Hart, who admitted writ- 
ing the document as embodying the sentiments of 
a village meeting held at the house of Michael 
Milnor, was also thrown into prison. John Towns- 
end, who then resided at Rusdorp or Jamaica, was 
summoned Jan. lOth, 1658, and being asked if he 
had been with Hart to persuade Farrington to sign 
the remonstrance, answered that he had been at 
Flushing, and visited Farrington as an old ao 



39 

qnaintance ; also that "he had been at Gravesend 
but not in company with the banished female 
Quaker." Yet, as the Court were suspicious that 
he favored the Quakers, he was held to bail to 
appear when summoned, in the sum of X\2. 
Henry Townsend was again brought before the 
Council, Jan. 15th, 1658, was fined c£l 00 Flan- 
ders, for treating with contempt the placards of 
the Director, for lodging Quakers again and again, 
*• which he unconditionally confessed," "and so 
to remain arrested till the said amende be paid, 
besides the costs and mises of justice." Sheriff 
Feake, "maintaining that all sects, and principally 
the aforesaid heretical and abominable sect of 
Quakers, shall or ought to be tolerated, which is 
directly contrary to the aforesaid orders and 
placards of the director General and Council," 
was degraded from his office, and sentenced to be 
banished from the province, or to pay an amende 
of two hundred guilders. 

Jan. 10th. Farrington and Noble presented the 
following written confession : 

" To the Honorable the governor and his Coun- 
cil, the humble petition of William Noble and Ed- 
ward Farrington, 

** Sheweth, That, whereas your petitioners hav- 
ing subscribed a writing offensive to your honors, 
presented by Tobias Feake, we acknowledge our 



40 

offence for acting so inconsiderately, and humbly 

crave your pardon, promising, for the time to 

come, that we shall offend no more in that kind» 

And your petitioners shall ever pray for your 

health and happiness. 

William Noble, 

Edward Farrington." 

In consideration of this and their verbal confes- 
sion to being seduced and inveigled by Feake, their 
fault was graciously pardoned and forgiven^ on 
payment of costs of examination. 

The following was also presented : 

"Eight Honorable governor and Council; — 
Forasmuch as I have written a writing whereat 
you take offence, my humble desire is, that your 
Honors would be favorable and gracious to me, 
for it was not written in disobedience unto any of 
your laws ; therefore my humble request is for 
your mercy, not your judgment; and that ycu 
would be pleased to consider my poor estate and 
condition, and relieve me from my bonds and im. 
prisonment, and I shall endeavor hereafter, to 
walk inoffensively unto your lordships, and shall 
ever remain your humble servant to command. 

Edward Hart." 

Whereupon the following action was taken : — 
" 1658, 23d Jan'y : Being presented and read, the 



41 

petition of Edward Hart, clerk of Vlissingen, and 
considered his promises that he would conduct 
himself more prudently, and the intercessions of 
Several of the inhabitants of said village, that he 
always was willing to serve his neighbors, and 
that, as one of the oldest inhabitants, he was 
thoroughly acquainted with their affairs : and fur- 
ther, that the Sheriff, Tobias Feeke, advised him 
to draw the aforesaid remonstrance of the first of 
January, and then presented : and further, that 
he has a large family to maintain ; so is it, that 
the director general and Council pardoned his 
fault for this time, provided that he pay the ex- 
penses and misses of judgment." 

Other instances of this bitter persecution of 
Quakers will be noted in subsequent parts of this 
volume. Many were arrested and prosecuted for 
adultery, because, although married according to 
the simple requirements of the Quaker faith, they 
had not complied with the formularies of the reli- 
gion of the State. Notwithstanding repeated in- 
junctions from the Fatherland, Stuy vesant continu- 
ed his opposition throughout his term of office. In 
1661 an ordinance was passed, providing, "that 
besides the reformed religion, no Conventicles 
should be holden in /louse:^, barnes, ships, woods 
or Jields, under the penalty of fifty guilders for 
each person, man, woman or child, attending for 



42 

the first oifence ; double for the second ; quadru- 
ple for the third ; and arbitrary correction for 
every other." 

But the Dutch Governor Stuyvesant was not 
the only persecutor of the Quakers in New Neth- 
erlands. Under the English authority, during the 
administration of Lord Cornbury, religious intol 
erence equally tyrannical was manifested towards 
all denominations except the Episcopal. A noted 
example of Quaker persecution, that of Samuel 
Bownas, will be more fully narrated in a subse- 
quent chapter. 

"We £nd the following extraordinary record : 

** April 8th, 1648. Thomas Hall, an inhabitant 
of fflishingen, in New Netherlands, being accused 
that he prevented the Sheriff of fflishingen to doe 
his duty, and execute his office, in apprehending 
Thomas Heyes, which Thomas Hall confesseth, 
that lie kept the door shut, so that noe one might 
assist the Sheriff, demands mercy, and promise 
he will do it never again, and regrets very much 
that he did so. The director general and council 
doing justice condemn the said Thomas Hall in 
a fine of 25 guilders, to be applied at the discre- 
tion of the council." 

"April 22d 1655, Thomas Saul, William Law- 
rence and Edward Farriugton were appointed 
Magistrates from a list of persons nominated by 



43 

the Town ; and Tobias Feeke was appointed 
Sheriff." 

Town meetings were forbidden, " except for 
highly interesting and pressing reasons ;" and 

" March, 26th, 1658, it was resolved to change 
the municipal government of Flushing. In this 
document, after formally pardoning the Town for 
its mutinous orders and resolutions, Gov. Stuyve- 
sant says, 'in future I shall appoint a Sheriff, 
acquainted not only with the English and Dutch 
languages, but with Dutch practical law; and that 
in future there shall be chosen seven of the most 
reasonable and respectable of the inhabitants, to 
be called tribunes and townsmen ; and whom the 
Sheriff and Magistrates shall consult in all cases ; 
and that a tax of twelve stivers per morgen is 
laid on the inhabitants for the support of an or- 
thodox minister ; and such as do not sign a written 
submission to the same, in six weeks, may dispose 
of their property at their pleasure, and leave the 
soil of this government.' " Although this was in 
direct violation and contravention of the charter 
of the Town, which assured them the right of 
choosing their local civil officers, and the fullest 
liberty of conscience, the resolute Governor did 
not hesitate or pause in his course. 

May 17th, 1563, Governor Stuyvesant put forth 
a still more severe edict, proclaiming vengence 



44 

and heavy penalties upon skippers and barques 
that should smuggle into the colony any of those 
** abominable impostors, runaways, and strolling 
people called Quakers." 

In 1664 followed the transfer to England, which 
closed the Governor's official relation with the 
colony. 

Yet the Quakers were not exempt from annoy- 
ances and vexations as appears from the following : 

" The sentence of William Bishop of fflushing, 
for uttering seditious words. 

" The Governor being informed that one Wm. 
Bishop had spoken seditious words at a publique 
meeting of ye Inhabitants of the To wne of Fflush- 
ing, before his Honor, on ye 3d of this instant 
month. 

" Captain Eichard Betts declareth that at the 
time and place aforementioned, after the Gover- 
nor, among other matters, had told the people 
then met together, that he would furnish them 
with powder for their present occasions and would 
be content to receive fire-wood for it : he heard 
Wm, Bishop speak those words aloud, (vizt.) 
* That there was another canning trick.' Upon 
which the said Oapt. Betts told ye said Bishop 
that if he had any thing to say in answer to what 
had been proposed by the Governor, he was best 
to speak it to the Governor himselfe who was 



45 

hard by, and not to mutter such words among 
the people — to which he made answer : ' It is 
very like that he hath sett ye here to hearken to 
what we say, that you may tell him.' Where- 
unto Capt Betts replied, ' It was not so, but since 
he thought so, he should take further notice of 
what he said.' Then Bishop returned answer, 
'What have I said? I said nothing, but there 
is another cunning trick.' Dated at New York 
July 8th, 1667. 

'• The contents of what is within wrytten being 
read and attested in the presence of Wm. Bishop , 
it was likewise by him confest before the Gov- 
ernor. 

" July 9th, 1667. For seditious words spoken 
at Fflushing upon the 3d of July, by William 
Bishop, the said William Bishop is sentenced to 
be made fast to the whipping-post, there to stand 
with rodds fastened to his back during the sitting 
of the Court of Mayor and Aldermen, and from 
thence to be conveyed unto the Co7non Goale till 
further order. By order of Governor and Council- 
Matthias Nichols, Secretary.'' 
" Oct. 3d, 1701. To the Honorable John Nan- 
fan, Esq., Governor and Commander in Chief of 
the Province of New York, &c. : 

" The humble petition of Samuel Haight, John 
Way and Robert Field on behalf of themselves 



46 

and the rest of the ffreeholders of Queens Coun- 
ty, of the persuasion and profession of the people 
called Quakers. 

'* Sheweth^ Unto yo^ Honour that lately in the 
eleccon of Eepresentatives to assist in Generall 
Assembly, in Queens County, the petitioners 
abovenamed, and others of their profession, have 
been interrupted and deprived of their right and 
privilege of voting by the Justices of s** County, or 
some of them, and others appointed witnesses to 
the eleccon, upon pretence and color of not 
having taken the oaths notwithstanding their hav- 
ing signed the declaracon, appointed the people 
of that persuasion by act of Parliament. 

" There being another eleccon to be had in said 
County in a few days that the peticoners may en- 
joy their rights and privileges and to prevent con- 
troversy for the future : 

'* They therefore humbly pray to have yor 
honours opinion whether they, being qualified other- 
ways to vote for representatives in such eleccons 
are legally barrd and precluded from doing there- 
of by their not swearing, and as in duty bound, &c. 

Samuel Haight, 
John Way, 
Robert ffield." 

The following list shows the amount of money 



47 

taken from the Quakers of the town of Flushing, 

Dec. 1st, 1756. 

John Thorn, £2 James Persons, <£2 

James Burling, 2 Danll Lathum, 2 

James Bowne 2 Samuel Thorne, 2 

Benj. Doughty, 2 Caleb Field, 2 

Stephen Hedger, 2 John Thorne, 1 

Danl. Bowne, 2 

c£21 

This was done under cover of law, *' Pursuant 
to two Acts of General Assembly of the Pro- 
vince of New York" 

In instructions to Gov. Dongan is the following 
article : 

" You shall permit all persons of what religion 
soever, quietly to inhabit within yo^ Government 
without giving them any disturbance or disquiet 
whatsoever, for or by reason of their differing 
opinions in matters of Religion, Provided they 
give noe disturbance to ye publick peace, nor doe 
molest or disquiet others in ye free exercise of 
their Religion. 29th day of May, 1686." 

The only connection of this with our history is, 
that the inhabitants of Flushing were affected by 
it, equally with other portions of the province, 
and were entitled to the freedom in religious mat- 
ters it enjoins upon the Governor. 



48 

Earl of Bellmont to the Lords of trade, 
'* Upon reading a bill" (to the Assembly) " where 
were the words (late happy revolution,) Captain 
Whitehead moved that the word (happy) might be 
left out, for he said he did not conceive the revolu- 
tion to be happy. Captain Whitehead is one of the 
members that serves for Queen's County, on Nas- 
sau Island ; he keeps a publick house at a town 
called Jamaica, and is a disciple of Nicholl's. 'Tis 
at his house that Nicholls had always a rende- 
vouz with his pirates in Colonel Fletcher's time, 
and twice the last summer as I afterwards heard, 
and which was sworn to by John William- 
son, whose deposition I sent your Lordships 
with my packet of the 21st of last October. 
Nicholls has so poysoned the people of Queen's 
County, who are all English, that § parts of them 
are said to be down right Jacobites, and to avoid 
taking the oaths to the King, which I lately in- 
joined all the males in the Province to do from 16 
years old and upwards — a great many men in 
that Country pretend themselves Quakers to avoid 
taking the oaths ; but soon after at the election of 
Assembley-men those very men pulled off the mask 
of Quakerism and were got very drunk and swore 
and fought bloodily ; their patrone Mr. Nicholls 
being a spectator all the while. 

New York, Aprill the 27th, 1699," 



49 

The following is part of a "Petition of the 
Protestants of New York to King William III." 

"Citty of New York 30th December, 1701." 
After the usual preliminaries it continues : 

"Wee your Majesties Protestant subjects in 
your Plantation of New York in America, having 
too many reiterated Informations of our being cal- 
umniated and misrepresented to your Majesty, 
with hearts full of grief, Loyalty, and the highest 
duty and regard to your Majesty humbly pray the 
Freedom to acquaint your Majesty." It then 
proceeds to enumerate their grievances, '* great 
partiality in appointment of officers, Manifest cor- 
ruption and injustice in all Elections, &c. &c." 

" Wee underwritten in behalf of ourselves and 
about two thirds of the freeholders and inhabit- 
ants of Queens County on Nassau Island. 
Tho. Willett, Tho. Hicx, 

Daniel Whitehead, Jonathan Smith, 
John Taalman." 

•'Nov. 17th, 1759. A Great celebration was 
held at Flushing over the reduction of Quebec, 
that long dreaded sink of French perfidy and cru- 
elty. An elegant and sumptuous entertainment 
was served, at which the principal inhabitants of 
the Town were present. Toasts, celebrating the 

paternal tenderness of our Most gracious Sover- 
5* 



50 

eign — the patriotism and integrity of Mr. Pitt — 
the fortitude and activity of the Generals, &c. 
were drunk with all the honors. Every toast was 
accompanied by discharge of Cannon, which 
amounted to over 100. In the evening a large 
bon fire and splendid illumination. 

Cadwallader Golden, while holding the office of 
Lieutenant Governor, built a spacious and sub 
stantial mansion on the property now owned by 
John H. Brower, Esq., which was then called 
" Spring Hill." Here the Gov. died Sept. 20th, 
1776. He was buried in a private cemetery at- 
tached to the farm. We have carefully examined 
this burial-plot, but can find no record to indi- 
cate "the narrow house" where his mortal re- 
mains sleep, awaiting the awakening, the last 
day. The only records decipherable are those of 
deaths in the Willett family. Of these there are 
but few. We give one : 

" Here lies enter red the body of Sarah wife 
of Rob. Whiting and daughter of Charles 
and Ellena Willett who departed this 
life the 1th July 1797 aged 88 years. 
Also Willett her Son who departed this 
life the 12th April 1792 aged 6 years.'ll* 
David Golden, the son of Gov. Golden inherit- 

* If these figures be correct it involves a physiological problem which 
the author leaves to the Committee for solution 



51 

ed the estate. He was an ardent and active loy- 
alist in the Revolution. The property was there- 
fore confiscated and sold by forfeiture — being pur- 
chased by Walter Burling,* who kept a store where 
Flushing Hotel now stands. Golden, with his 
wife Ann, daughter of John Willett, of Flush- 
ing, retired to England, where he died July 
10th, J 784, and she in August, 1785. Their son, 
Cadwallader 1). Golden, who was born at Spring 
Hill, April 4th, 1769, returned to this country 
and became very eminent as a lawyer, legislator 
and author — being the associate of Hamilton, 
Livingston and De Witt Glinton. He died at 
Jersey City, Feb'y 7th, 1834. 

Gov. George Glinton also had his residence 
somewhere in our Town, exactly where, we have 
not been able to discover. We find only the fol- 
lowing notice of his residence in this place : 

•* Journal of Gonrad Weiser's visit to the Mohocks 
Country. Aug. 27th, 1753 — I went to Flushing, 
on Long Island, seventeen Miles from New York, 
to wait on Governor Glinton — he happened to be 
from home but came in by one o'clock. I paid 
him my Compliments at his Door — he called me 
in and asked me how far 1 had been, and signified 
to me that it was a wrong step in me to proceed to 
Albany before I had his Directions. I asked Par- 

* A eon of Walter Burling died at Flushing January 18th, 1 859' 
in the 90th year of his age. 



52 

don and told him my Reason why I proceeded. 
His Excellency said it was well, lie did not dis- 
approve so much of my Proceeding as of my Son's 
not staying for an Answer. His Excellency seem- 
ed well enough pleased with my Return, and of 
my not proceeding to Onondago, and was pleased 
to tell me that he intended to be in New York 
next Wednesday, and would then have me to wait 
on him and take a Letter to Governor Hamilton, 
and so dismissed me, hut would have me stay and 
eat a Bit of Victuals first, and ordered his At- 
tendance accordingly to get it for me and my 
Companion. After Dinner I left Flushing and 
arrived in New York the same Evening 

Aug. 29th — His Excellency arrived in New 
York in the Evening." 

The manufacturing of clay tobacco pipes and 
other articles was carried on to some extent, 
A number of notices, advertisements, &c. are yet 
to be seen. We give the following, viz : 

'' March 31, 1735—6. The Widow of Thomas 
Parington offers for Sale her farm at Whitestone 
opposite Frog's point. It has 20 acres of clay 
ground fit for making tobacco-pipes." 

" May 13, 1751. Any person desirous may be 
supplied with vases, urns, flowerpots, &c. to 
adorn gardens and tops of houses, or any other 
ornament made of Clay by Edmond Aunely at 



53 

Whitestone — he having sot up the potter's busi- 
ness by means of a German family that he bought, 
who are supposed by their work to be the most in- 
genious that ever arrived in America. He has 

Clay capable of making eight different kinds of 
ware." 

There were patriots in those early days, even as 
now, willing to serve their country, as appears 
from the following election card, ninety-five years 
ago :— 

" John Willett, Esq., of Flushing, through the 
earnest persuasion of his friends, and his desire 
to serve his country, offers himself as Candidate 
at the ensuing election of Representatives from 
Queen's County, which is to be held at Jamaica, 
on the 23d of May, 1764." 

The following letter is a beautiful testimony to 
a noble act, performed by our ancestors, for the 
army engaged in fighting with the Indians : 

'' To the Representatwes of Queen s County. 

Octob. 10, 1756, 
Gentlemen, 

A few days ago I received a letter from Messrs 
Schuyler & Depeister, of Albany acquainting me 
that you had sent to them 69 cheeses and 200 
sheep, being part of 1000 raised in Queen's Coun- 
ty on Long Island as a present to this Army, and 
which they had forwarded to me. This letter was 



64 

read at a Council of War, consisting of all the 
field officers in this Camp, which I summoned 
yesterday afternoon. 

The most equitable and useful division hath 
been made of this generous and public-spirited 
present, which we could follow. 

The Cattle and a few sheep bad been sent by 
some of the Provinces to their Troops, yet your 
sbeep were very Seasonable, and highly bene- 
ficial to the Army in general. Your cheeses 
were highly acceptable and reviving ; for unless 
amongst some of the Officers, it was food Scarcely 
Known among us. 

This generous humanity of Queen's County is 
unanimously and gratefully applauded by all here ; 
we pray that your benevolence may be returned 
to you by the Great Shepherd of human Kind, a 
hundred fold ; and may those Amiable housewives, 
to whose skill we owe the refreshing cheeses, long 
continue to shine in their useful and endearing 
stations. 

I beg. Gentlemen, that you in particular will 
accept of, and convey to your generous county, 
my grateful & respectful salutations for their 
seasonable beneficence to the Army under my 
command. I am Gentlemen, 

Your Most obedient and Obliged Servant, 

W. Johnson." 



55 

It is very interesting in reading the reports of 
the Governors to the authorities in the mother 
country, to watch how the spark of resistance to 
their exactions gradually increased in intenseness 
and volume, until it burst forth in the uncon- 
querable fire of the revolution. Some of these 
had sagacity and penetration to foresee the utter 
impracticability of these attempts, and to foretell 
the consequences of persistence in them. Gov. 
Tyron, in writing to the Earl of Dartmouth, from 
*' New York, 4th July, 1773," says : 

" If it were the wish it is not in the power of 
any one Province to accommodate with Great 
Britain, being overawed and controuled by the 
General confederacy. Oceans of hlood may he 
spilt but in my opinion America will never receive 
parliamentary Taxation." This brings us to the 
subject of the next chapter. 



56 



CHAPTER III. 

REVOLUTIONARY AND OTHER INCIDENTS. 

The American Eevolution ! At its mention, 
what intense emotions of national pride, and of 
grateful thanksgiving to the " God of Nations," 
thrill the heart of patriotism, beating strong in 
the bosom of every son and daughter of America, 
worthy of their noble birth-right. It was our 
national heroic era ; the age of heroic men, 
leagued in a heroic struggle for freedom from co- 
lonial servitude and oppression; its glorious record 
is crystallized in words and deeds, exhibiting a 
pure, exalted heroism in their intrinsic excellence, 
and in the vast, incalculable influences, thence 
resulting and spreading over our whole national 
history. " Its strong remembrance becomes a 
part of the national life." It throbs with every 
pulsation of the national heart. It courses through 
every vein and artery of the national system, 
imparting a peculiar complexion to national ap- 
pearances — a peculiar tinge to national emotions 
and constituting the entire national creature a 
very different being from what it would otherwise 
have been. Its bright and glorious reminiscences 
are treasured as precious beyond calculation. 



57 

The halo, encircling the names of its mighty men» 
and its consecrated places, made sacred by bloody 
baptisms, becomes more beauteous and glowing 
as the chariot of time rolls onward in its rapid 
march ; " the dust of centuries" will but brighten 
its resplendent glow. 

Hence every incident connected with the war 
for maintaining the immortal " Declaration of In- 
dependence," is dear to the lover of his country. 
We have none of startling interest connected with 
our town to communicate. More doubtless might 
have been collected a few years since, but are 
now consigned to oblivion with the passing away 
from earth of those in whose memories was their 
only record. We must therefore be content with 
such as we have been able to gather. 

Hessian troops to the number of eight or ten 
thousand were quartered for a considerable period 
on this part of Long Island, extending from Jamai- 
ca to Whitestone. The first detachment came from 
Jamaica. As the cavalry were coming down what 
is now Jamaica avenue, some boys were indulg- 
ing their curiosity in looking at them. Becoming 
frightened they took refuge in a barn which stood 
a few rods north of Sandford Hall. Looking out 
from their hiding place they saw a portion de- 
tach themselves from the main-body. They came 
to tbe barn and called upon the rebels to come 



58 

forth and surrender, or they would fire the build- 
ing. The boys, thinking they would carry their 
threat into execution, came out in very great tre- 
pidation, supposing, doubtless, they were to be at 
once made prisoners. The soldiers, seeing they 
were ovly hoys, rode back to their comrades, to 
the great relief of the young patriots. 

We have not been able to fix the locality of the 
several encampments. One was at Fresh Meadows, 
close by the present residence of Jacob Duryea; 
another was along the Manhasset road, near a 
piece of woods just beyond the residence of John 
Bowne. Their object of course was to protect the 
several roads and highways, as this section was 
very important in a strategical point of view, in 
consequence of the narrowness of the river oppo- 
site Whitestone. 

The troops were billetted at different farm 
houses. Their principal quarters were the old 
Bowne house on Bowne avenue, the old stone 
house just beyond Flushing cemetery, now occu- 
pied by Whitehead Duryea, and the house on 
Whitestone avenue, now the residence of Watson 
Bowron. The Aspinwall house (now Joseph T. 
Darling'^; was the head quarters for the officers. 
A sentinel was constantly stationed in front of 
this house. The inhabitants of the place were 
accustomed to ride much on horse-back ; but 



59 

in passing this retreat of these mighty men of 
valor and honor, they were compelled to dismount 
and perform this part of their journey on foot. 

The old meeting house of the Friends was oc- 
cupied as a prison, hospital and hay-magazine. 
•' When the British officer first went to take pos- 
session Friends were in silent meeting. He put 
his head in the door, but seeing them sit so quiet 
and demure, he withdrew till shaking hands was 
over" — a fact creditable, we think, both to him 
and to them — and reminding one of Lamb's Essay 
on a '* Quaker Meeting" — in which he says " here 
is something which throws antiquity herself in the 
foreground — Silence — eldest of things — language 
of Old Night — primitive discourser — to which the 
insolent decays of mouldering grandeur have but 
arrived by a violent, and as we may say, unnatural 
progression. 

How reverned is the view of those hushed heads, 

Looking tranquility ; 

and from which, he says, *'you go away with a 
sermon not made with hands." 

A Col. Hamilton was at one time in command 
of the troops stationed here. His head quarters 
were in the house now owned and occupied by 
Wm. Mitchell. Being of an overbearing, domi- 
neering disposition, tradition reports that he re- 
quired every person who met him to salute his 



60 

Highness with a very deferential bow. If his de- 
mand was not complied with, he stormed terribly. 

Their cannon were placed upon the high ground, 
fronting the residence of S. B. Parsons; and to the 
great terror of all young urchins of color in the 
neighborhood, the artillery daily practised to per- 
fect themselves in the art of shooting the rebels. 

While the troops were occupying the old stone 
house, a neighbor missed a pig. The Hessians 
were suspected of stealing it, but no positive proof 
could be obtained. Upon closer inspection, how- 
ever, it was tracked by the blood to this house, 
up stairs, and found in a bed ; and with it was a 
a companion. The dead pig, and a live Hessian 
were bed-fellows ; or according to another tradi- 
tion, which we are unwilling to credit, a woman 
was covered with the same blankets as the pig ! 

The property owned by the late Col. Benj. R. 
Hoagland was also occupied by a body of troops. 
They made their quarters in the barn. An elder- 
ly lady, still living. Miss Catharine Hoagland, 
remembers the fact, that a little child belonging to 
one of the soldiers died, and that she went to the 
barn to look at the corpse. 

The soldiers were much given to plunder ; and 
especially the cattle of the farmers were objects 
of covetous desire and forcible seizure. James 
Bowne, grand-father of our fellow townsman, 



61 

Walter Bowne, who lived where Thomas S. Wil- 
letts now resides, was awakened in the night by a 
disturbance in his barn yard. Hoisting the win- 
dow and exposing the upper part of his body that 
he might discover what was the difficulty, one of 
the villains discharged a musket at him. The ball 
took effect in the arm, inflicting a severe wound. 
His son Walter, father of the present Walter, a 
lad about ten years old, passed through the Brit- 
ish camp in the neighborhood, and went some dis- 
tance through the woods, at 12 o'clock at night, to 
the house of his uncle Willett Bowne, where John 
Bowne now resides, and told what had happened. 
He and his cousin William, a lad about the same 
age,father of John, Scott H. and Benj. Bowne, and 
grandfather of Stephen and Cornell Bowne, at Ire- 
land Mills, then went over to what is now the 
farm house of Walter Bowne, opposite the resi- 
dence of Simon Bowne, for Dr. Belden. He at 
once came and rendered the necessary surgical 
service. The old gentleman thus saved his cat- 
tle, but at the expense of a musket ball in his 
arm. 

Willett Bowne was also subjected to the trials 
of the " times that tried men's souls." Some 
parties, blackened and disguised in various ways, 
entered his house one night and demanded his 

cash. This he refused to part with so uncere- 
6* 



62 

moniously and without an equivalent. They then 
tied his hands to the bed-post and applied a light- 
ed candle to the ends of his fingers in the hope 
that under the potency and virtue oijiery arguments 
he would be induced to disclose the hiding place 
of his treasures. But these were more precious to 
him than the tips of his fingers, and with resolute 
fortitude he refused to '' deliver." After tortur- 
ing him till they were satisfied it was useless^ 
they left him with sore fingers, a light heart, but 
with a heavy purse. The old gentleman recog- 
nized the persons, notwithstanding their disguise, 
but to the day of his death refused to prosecute 
them, or tell who they were — thus exhibiting a 
noble magnanimity that justly entitles him to 
honorable mention among the many worthies of 
those perilous times. 

The women of Flushing also suffered indigni- 
ties and ruffianism at the hands of the' troops. 
These hirelings of despotism, would enter, at any 
hour of the night, any house, in which it was known 
there were none but women — compel them to get 
up and prepare supper for them — requiring the 
best things the house afforded. At the house of 
Joseph Wright, in Whitestone, there were assem- 
bled, for greater security, the females of two fami- 
lies — the men being away from home. Looking 
out of the window, they saw five or six horsemen 



63 

coming toward the house, leaping over the fences. 
" You are a fine parcel of women" says one " where 
is the man of the house ? " " He is out in the 
field," " Well, did he take fire-arms with him 1 " 
" No, he is an old. man, too old to use fire-arms." 
They then turned and left, doing no other harm 
than causing something of a fright. 

Although we have not heen able to gather indi- 
vidual instances, we doubt not the women of Flush- 
ing displayed a heroism equal to any emergency. 
It was the noble heart of true woman, that in 
ancient times led a mother to say to her son, as 
she handed him his shield, " bring this back, or be 
brought back upon it." It was the noble heart 
of noble woman, that, in the late great rebellion in 
India, nerved the wife of one to grasp the reins 
and whip and lash the foaming steeds through 
ranks of savage Sepoys, while her husband plied 
his revolver and musket ; and spurring on till 
another gang was reached, who had stretched a 
a rope across the road, yet faltered not, but 
still urged on the steeds, and though they stumbled, 
yet by aid of whip and rein, she kept them on, 
and her husband still with sword and gun smiting 
down the wretches who endeavored to climb into 
their oarrriage. And so both escaped with their 
lives, but not without wounds. Such is Woma?i. 

Prince Yf illiam, afterward William IV, prede- 



64 

cessor of Queen Victoria — visited Flushing, while 
in this country. A grand jubilee was held, and 
an ox was roasted in honor of the event. 

Gen. Washington also visited Flushing, being 
the guest of Wm. Prince, grandfather of Wm. R- 
Prince, our fellow citizen. This was shortly after 
the Eevolutionary War. James Rantas, an aged 
colored man still living in the village says he 
remembers this fact distinctly. A large tent 
made of cedar bushes and other evergreens was 
erected and extended diagonally from Alfred 0. 
Smith's corner toward the Flushing Hotel. In 
this were tables abundantly spread, and dinner 
was served. When the people were shouting and 
swinging their hats, Washington, who wore a 
three cornered hat, raised his and bowed in recog- 
nition of their approbation. 

There is, or was, until lately, a redoubt on the 
property of John Haggerty, at Whitestone. Tra- 
dition says, this was thrown up by order and under 
the supervision of Gen. Washington. 

*'Oct. 6, 1779, Oliver Thorne was master of the 
Flushing freight and passenger boat, which lies 
near the ferry stairs, N. Y." 

"Dec. 11, 1790, Mr. Gilbert Seasman of Flush- 
ing fell overboard of Capt. Thos. H. Smith's 
passage boat, a little above Hell Gate, and was 
drowned. 



65 

It would appear that one of the first Railroads 
ever put in operation, was the one now familiarly 
known as " the underground Railroad." 

Witness the following: — 

" Nov. 27, 80. , To be sold, a healthy negro 
man and woman, neither in the least infatuated 
with a desire of obtaining freedom by flight, which 
so unhappily reigns throughout the generality of 
negroes at present. 

David Golden, Esq. Flushing." 

Here we have the following dubious advertise- 
ment : — 

" May 21, '81. J. Holroyd thanks the gentle- 
men of the Army and Navy, and informs them that 
he has ope7ted the Queen's Head at Flushing.' 
How he came into possession of the royal Caput 
is not stated ; nor whether he was capitally pun- 
ished for the murderous deed. 

In 1791, John Bowne and Nathaniel Persali 
were elected members to the Legislature, from 
Queen's County. They were Friends and refused 
to take ** the oaths directed by the Governor's 
Commission." They were accordingly dismissed, 
and their seats declared vacant. 

Aug. 4, 1825, Judge Lawrence of Bay Side 
gave $340 for one Saxony Sheep. For a consider- 
able period the merino-sheep fever raged furiously 



66 

in this section of the country, and the inhabitants 
of Flushing did not escape the contagion. There 
is still extant a letter from Wm. S. Burling to 
SanQuel Parsons, dated New York, 8th mo. 31st, 
1810 ; from which I make an extract or two, 
bearing upon the subject. After inviting him to 
come and see the two sheep he had purchased, he 
says, ** they are pronounced by the best judges to 
be equal to any they have seen. From the sample 
of wool I have seen, I am persuaded they are as fine 
as the Buck lately bo't by Effingham Lawrence, T. 
Buckley & Co. and far superior to Whitehead, 
Hicks & Co. I should be unwilling to give my two 
for their three. But that thou may judge for thyself, 
I send thee a small sample of wool taken from the 
shoulder of each." The samples are still attached 
to the letter. So very minute are they, that they 
could be easily compressed into a child's thimble. 
I suppose the considerate Friend feared to take 
away much, lest the exposure should prove fatal to 
his pets ; or having many acquaintances to whom 
to send samples, but little could be spared for each. 
After some further history of them he says, "I had 
the choice of fifty-two, and I have no reason to be- 
lieve they are exceeded by any in this State. I have 
no doubt that I could readily get $2,250 for them, 
but I have no idea of selling either. They appear 
to be in good health and are thriving nicely." 



67 

We are told that almost forty years since, sab- 
bath desecration was exceedingly prevalent, and 
especially among the colored people. They 
would also congregate at night in different places 
around the village.- Forming a circle, with a fid- 
dler or some one to sing, they would dance and 
shout, to the great discomfort of the more quiet 
and orderly portion of the community. Their 
drunken brawls and fights in the streets were a 
nuisance to all. Some of the citizens determined 
to secure the peace by arresting one and another 
and having them fined or committed to jail. But 
they failed. The young men, mostly apprentices, 
then took the matter in hand, and formed them- 
selves into an association, called by the euphon- 
ious and suggestive name of " the Rotten Egg 
Society." They collected all the spoiled eggs 
they could obtain ; and concealing themselves at 
a little distance, discharged battery after battery 
into the midst of the sable brawlers. This 
proved more potent than " the strong arm of the 
Law." Fancy the consternation and confusion 
amid the colored ranks, as these tremendous 
missiles came pouring in upon them from invisible 
foes ! 

In 1841, when Linnaeus St. was opened, a dozen 
or more human skeletons were thrown up in gra- 
ding. Leaden bullets were found with them. This 



68 



would indicate that these once animate forms had 
fallen in battle, probably in some revolutionary 
conflict. Skeletons were also found on the Red- 
wood property, in excavating some years since. 



69 



CHAPITER. IV, 

COMMUXICATION WITH THE CITY— SLOOPS-STEAM- 
BOATS— RAIL ROADS— POST OFFICE— APPEARANCE 
OF THE VILLAGE— FIRE AND MILLITARY COMPA- 
NIES— OTHER ASSOCIATIONS, &C.— WHITESTONE— 
COLLEGE POINT— LITTLE NECK. 

In former times the route to New York was by 
the Head of the Fly, or Vleigh, the Dutch word for 
meadow,through Jamaica and Bedford to Brooklyn, 
a distance of from seventeen to twenty miles. To 
obviate this, Wm. Prince, the second of that name,* 
organized a company of which he was chosen Pre- 
sident, with a capital of $12,500, of which $10,000 
was raised. This company procured a charter for 
the erection of the bridge over Flushing Cieek. 
This bridge was built in 1 800, was washed away in 
1802, was rebuilt, and has since been rebuilt sev- 

* John Prince came from England to Boston somewhere between the 
years 1660 — ^70. He had two sons who came to Long Island, and settled 
at Flushing. The family name, on the elder brother's side, is extinct- 
He had one son, that son had thirteen daughters, but not one son. The 
younger brother, Albert, was grandfather of Wra, Prince, the first 
nurseryman in Flushing. Bi3 son, Wra. is the one above referred to • 
His son is Wm. R Prince, our fellow townsman. Wm. Prince the 2,1 
was of an enterprising, amiable and kindly character, universally es- 
teemed in life, and regretted in death. 

7 



70 

eral times. This considerably shortened the route 
to New York. Shortly after, through the exer- 
tions of Wm. Prince, Joshua Sands of Brooklyn, 
and others, the bridge across the Wallabout was 
built, still more shortening the route, and giving 
a new impetus to the growth of the village. 

Mr. Prince was also very active in getting up 
the Flushing and Newtown turnpike. This met 
with great opposition, especially, it is said, from 
the Dutch residents along the road. His son tells 
me he has heard his father say, he found but one 
favorable to the proposal, and his reason was '* that 
he would like to sit on his stoop and see the peo- 
ple drive past his house" To overcome this op- 
position, he travelled more than a thousand miles. 
In all his efforts he was zealously seconded by 
John Aspinwall, and also by other residents of the 
village. 

Previous to the erection of the bridge -persons 
were conveyed across the creek in small boats. 
To reach them a kind of path was made with 
boards down the sides of the meadow. James 
Rantas and Thomas Smith, two colored men, still 
living, were for many years ferry-masters. They 
made no regular charge for ferriage, but left their 
compensation to the liberality of each passenger. 
This liberality showed itself in sums varying from 
one to four cents, very seldom reaching six, and 



71 

twelve and a-half would have been considered 
quite a fortune. 

Stage Routes. — The first eflfort to run a stage 
between Flushing and New York was in 1801. 
The route was- through Newtown and Bedford to 
Brooklyn — Fare 50 cents, Willett Mott, proprie- 
tor. He continued for seven years, and was fol- 
lowed by Carman Smith, Greenwall and Kissam. 
John Boyd, who drove for seventeen years, and 
was the first who ran to Williamsburg, across 
Grand st, ferry, up Grand to Bowery, and down to 
Chatham Square — Fare 56 cents ; and since then 
a number of proprietors, for short periods, until 
four years ago, the route was abandoned. The 
stages were exchanged for the locomotive. 

Steam Boats, — The first water communication 
with the city was, as we have said, by a large In- 
dian canoe. This was succeeded by sloops run- 
ning more or less frequently, as circumstances re- 
quired. Their landing place in Flushing, previ- 
ous to 1800, was at the slip and dock where Peck 
& Fairweather now have their coal yard After 
the erection of the bridge the present town dock 
was built for their accommodation. Howell Smith 
owned and ran a packet, as it was termed. He 
was succeeded by Samuel Pryor, with the same 
vessel. He was bought out by Jonathan R. 



72 



Peck, father of Isaac Peck, who built a new 
vessel with ample and more elegant accommoda- 
tions. He was followed by his eldest son, Jona- 
than, who ran daily, regulating by the state of the 
tide, his hours for leaving and returning. 

A small steam boat ran for a season as an ex- 
periment about 1822. But the first that ran regu- 
larly was built expressly for this route, and com- 
menced her trips in 1 823. She was named Linnseus, 
and was commanded by Capt. Jonathan Peck. 
She was a very superior boat for those times. She 
ran here about ten years, and was then transferred 
to run between New York and New Rochelle. 
She was followed by 

the Flushing, Capt. Curtis Peck, 
Then came the Statesman, '* Elijah Peck, 

Star, 
** Washington Irving, ** Stephen Leonard, 

" Island City, " Silas Reynolds, 

" Enoch Dean, '* Wm. Reynolds. 

The channel in Flushing Bay was dredged and 
deepened for the first time in 1833 ; the second in 
1857, and last in 1859. 

In 1859 the Flushing, College Point and New 
York Steam Ferry Company was organized. 
They now run the steamer Enoch Dean, but be- 
fore this leaves the press the Company expect to 
have running, in connection with it, a new Iron 



73 



Steam Boat, costing about 840,000— the first Iron 
Boat ever run on the East River. This is a 
movement in the right direction, bearing directly 
upon the prosperity of the village. 

Rail Road. ^This was built, and commenced op- 
eration in 1854. Its fortunes have not been very 
favorable to stockholders. It was first sold to the 
bondholders ; then, in 1859, to Oliver Oharlick. of 
New York, and by him in 1860, to E. B. Litchfield. 
Since its construction the village has grown rapid- 
ly to the southward in the neighborhood of its 
terminus. Our inhabitants have frequent daily 
communication with the city. With these and 
the other inducements our village offers, as a de- 
sirable place of residence, especially for business 
men in the city, its rapid growth would seem to 
be beyond a peradventure. 

Post Ofice.— The first Post Office in the town 
was located at the Alley, where was a woollen 
manufactory,* which was burned down a few 
years since. It was removed to the village about 
1822. There was considerable opposition to the 
change, even by many of the villagers. One 
principal reason for opposing it was, it is said, 



borne other factorie. have been in operation in the town, but we 
hare not been able to obtain much infdrmation about them 
7* 



74 

that their letters and papers were now left at the 
Hotel where they could get them at any time, 
which they could not do, if the office was kept at 
the village and only open at certain hours. This 
reason probably weighed all the more powerfully 
as they were thus afforded a good excuse to visit 
the Hotel for something not carried in Uncle Sam's 
mail bags. 

The j'^r^^ Post Master in the village was Cur- 
tis Peck, who kept the office in the Pavillion. 

The second was his brother Wm. Peck, who kept 
a store on the site now occupied by Peck & Fair, 
weather. 

The third was the late Dr. Joseph Bloodgood, 
who held the office for sixteen years. 

T\].Q fourth was Dr. Asa Spalding, who held the 
office about four years, and during part of this 
time there were two mails a day. 

The fifth was the late Francis Bloodgood, who 
held the office for ten years, in the store of Clem- 
ent & Bloodgood. 

The sixth and present incumbent, Charles W. 
Cox, was appointed in 18'>4. 

Appearance of the Town, Village, Sfc. — The sur- 
face of the town is moderately undulating. The 
soil is of very superior quality, and is in a high 
state of cultivation. Agriculture ** pays" with 
the farmers of Flusliing. There are very ma- 



75 

ny cL arming sites for genteel residences, and 
these are rapidly being taken up and occupied by 
gentlemen of leisure, or of business from the city, 
who prefer for their families and for themselves 
after their day's toils, the quiet comforts and en- 
joyments, and the health-imparting air, of a home 
in the country. 

About sixty years ago there were only from for- 
ty to fifty houses in the village. Where are now 
Bowne Avenue, Ailanthus Place, Amity, Union, 
Washington, Liberty, Madison, Cottage Row, 
Church, Locust, Cedar, Orange and Prince streets, 
thickly studded with residences and stores, there 
was only here and there a dwelling. It is not 
more than twenty years since a large orchard oc- 
cupied the grounds through which now run Ma- 
dison street and Cottage Eow. At that time the 
erection of a new house created quite an excite- 
ment, and people wondered whereunto it would 
grow. Then too there was no dock where the 
town dock now is; and all around where the lum- 
ber and coal yards now are, were low -marshy 
grounds. 

Where the Town Hall now stands, and the sur- 
rounding grounds, formerly was a sylvan lake, em- 
bowered in overarching trees with their beau- 
teous foliage, and emitting an ambrosial fragrance 
which the classic poets might have consecrated 



76 

to their Deities the village pond about seven- 
ty-five feet wide and two hundred feet long. In 
reference to this, one* of the Presidents of the 
Board of Trustees remarks : — " too filthy for frogs 
or fish, and only valuable for the amusement it af- 
forded the skaters during winter, and during sum- 
mer for the cattle to cool themselves and slake 
their thirst." But its glory is departed. " Sic 
transit gloria mundi." 

Just east of the pond, and in front of the old 
Friends' meeting-house, " arose a perpendicular 
bank some eight feet high, where the school-boy 
amused himself by leaping into the sand below." 

Bridge street was then so narrow as but just to 
admit the passage of two vehicles. 

The grade of Main Street, in front of the Epis- 
copal church was on a level with the top rail of 
the fence in front of Mr. Garretson's dwelling op- 
posite the church. 

None of the streets were flagged. Bridge street 
was paved in 1853. 

» 
Incorporation of Village, — The Charter of In- 
corporation of the village of Flushing bears date 
April 15th, 1837. The first meeting of the Board 
of Trustees was held June 6th, 1837. The first 
President of the Board was Robert B. Van Zandt. 

* Hon, John W, Lawrence, 




THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHUIICH. 



77 

The Charter has since been amended and the 
incorporated limits somewhat extended. Its pre- 
sent boundaries are, " All that certain tract of 
land in the town of- Flushing, county of Queens, 
embraced within the following bounds that is to 
say : Commencing at a point in the east side of 
Whitestone avenue, three hundred feet north of 
Bayside avenue ; thence north eighty -four degrees 
forty-five minutes east, seven hundred and fifty- 
six feet ; thence south four degrees twenty-five 
minutes east, two thousand four hundred and 
ninety-six feet to the south side of the street 
called Broadway ; thence south fourteen degrees 
east, three thousand five hundred and forty-four 
feet to a point in land of William Smart; thence 
south fifty-nine degrees twenty-five minutes west, 
two thousand six hundred and forty-nine feet to 
and along the Ireland avenue to a point near the 
small creek ; thence north eighty-three degrees 
ten minutes west, three thousand nine hundred 
and sixty-one feet to Flushing creek ; thence 
along the same about five thousand three hundred 
feet in a northerly course to the Flushing Mill 
Pond ; thence along the same Mill Pond about 
two thousand two hundred feet to or near another 
small stream ; thence south eighty-four degrees 
forty-eight minutes east, two thousand four hun- 
dred and fifty feet to the place of beginning, — 



78 

shall continue to be known and distinguished as 
the Village of Flushl\g." 

The Trustees of the Village for 1860, are John 
W. Lawrence, John S. Pittnian, Charles Miller, 
Alexander Parks, Joseph Harris King and Hen- 
ry Clement. 

In 1837 the number of real-estate holders was 
one hundred and three ; in 1857 there were over 
four hundred. 

The assessed value of taxable property was 

in 1837, $465,300 

in 1857 $1,325,350 



Increase in 20 years, $860,050 
This growth and the various improvements have 
not been reached without commendable public 
spirit and enterprise. In the first seven years 
there were expended upon the public streets, for 
grading, paving, &c., $30,000. Of this $1,000 
only could be raised annually by taxation; $50 
of which was paid to the collector, leaving an ag- 
gregate of $6,650. The balance of $23,350 was 
wholly raised by voluntary contributions. 

The present village Hall was built in 1843, at 
a cost of $1,009. Previous to this the Board 
held its meetings generally in the houses of its 
members. 

Some idea of the business of the village, at 



79 

present, may be formed from the schedule from 
the Flushing Journal of January 1st, 1859, to be 
found in the appendix. 

To this we shall add a brief statement of some 
other matters. 

Owing to frequent robberies a night watch was 
estal)lished by private subscription in 1855. 

Sand Paper Factory. — This was built in 1851, 
by W. B. Parsons & Co., for the manufacture of 
Sand, Emery and Match paper. It formerly em- 
ployed fifty hands ; now, in consequence of im- 
proved machinery, employs ten. Present firm, 
Joseph T. More & Co. 

Gas Company — This was incorporated Oct. 6th, 
1855, with a capital stock of $20,000 ; and the 
exclusive right of supplying the village with gas 
for twenty years. The length of the street mains 
laid is two and a-half miles. The quantity of 
gas made per month will average 100,000 cubic 
feet. The number of street lamps erected is 
eighteen. The company had fifty meters at the 
commencement; now they have more than double 
that number. The Stockholders are 

James R. Lowerre, President, 
Gilbert Hicks, Treasurer, 
Charles A. Willets, Secretary. 

Steam llaning and Saw Mill. — J. Milnor Peck, 
proprietor. The first mill was built June 13th, 1851. 



80 

It was a frame building, three stories high. The 
second and third stories were occupied by Messrs. 
Cox & Dumont for sash-making. In the first 
story, beside the planing and sawing, Messrs J. C. 
Quarterman and A. Lewis had turning lathes. 
The engine was the first stationary -steam engine 
in the place, and was purchased at the Novelty 
Works, New York. 

This building was destroyed by fire Nov. 21, 1853. 

June 8th, 1854, the present one story fire-proof 
building was erected with entire new machinery, 
for planing, sawing and moulding. 

In June, 1856, the three story, brick, fire-proof 
building adjoining was built. Employs from four- 
teen to twenty hands. 

A Turning and Scroll-Sawing Mill, with en- 
gine attached, was built by John H. Quarterman, 
in 1854. Since his death it is carried on by Geo. 
A, Stillwagon. 

Fire Companies. — One or two efforts were early 
made to sustain the fire companies in the village. 
Forty years ago a company was organized — one 
Stansbury was Captain. He was succeeded by 
Capt. Treadwell Sands, who had charge for twenty 
years; but it was not until April, 1854, that the pres- 
ent Fire Department was organized. William Post , 
Chief Engineer; Henry S. Hover and E. P. Van 



81 

Velsor, Assistants. It embraces four companies ; 
Mutual Fire Engine Co. No. 1 ; Young America, 
No. 2 ; Excelsior Hook and Ladder, and Empire 
Hose. The department is well equiped and 
efficiently manned. There are also several public 
cisterns or reservoirs of water for the extinguish- 
ment of fires. The whole cost of the Fire De- 
partment, including buildings, is about -$12,000. , 

Of No. 1, E. P. Creasy was first foreman, suc- 
ceeded by 0. W. Cox ; of No. 2, Adam S. Pen- 
fold was first foreman, succeeded by Joseph P. 
Stillwagon ; Hook and Ladder Co., Geo. A. 
Stillwagon was first foreman, succeeded by Geo. 
H. Quarterman, who was again succeeded by Geo. 
A. Stillwagon ; of Hose Co., Oscar W. Smith is 
foreman. 

Military. — The Flushing Guard, the first uni- 
formed military organization in this town, was 
commissioned Nov. 1st, 1839, as Light Infantry. 
It was attached to the 93d Eegiment, N. Y. S. M. 
as a flank company. It made its first parade with 
twenty-six uniforms, Jan. 16th, 1840. It attain- 
ed a high state of discipline. In Feb. 1843 its 
designation was changed to Artillery. In June, 
1845 it was again changed to Light Horse Ar- 
tillery, and attached to Storm's famous 1st Bri- 
gade, L. H. A., in which it excelled. Its bril- 
liant appearance excited the admiration of its old 
8 



82 

commander, Major General Jones, who, seeing/it 
with harnessed battery, careering over the field at 
a review, turned to his Brigadier, Heriman, and 
exclaimed, " You have lost the flower of your 
Brigade." In 1848 it had attained a State-wide 
reputation for excellency in the L. H. A. evolu- 
tions. Its parades called together the most cele- 
brated tacticians in the army, who styled it "the 
incomparable," and gave it the name of " Bragg's 
Battery," after the Hero of Buena Vista. At the 
breaking out of the Mexican war, its services 
were unanimously tendered to government, but 
not accepted. After varied fortunes for a period 
of twenty years, it still exists in gocd discipline, 
ready when its country needs its services, to again 
appear the foremost. 

The Flushing Guard was first commanded by 
Capt. Charles A. Hamilton ; then by Oapt. Wm. 
A. Mitchell. Since its change to Bragg's Bat- 
tery, it has been commanded by Oapt. Thomas 
L Eobinson. 

Company A, Hamilton Eifles, was organized 
January 24th, 1849. They are the first Battalion 
Company in the 15th Regiment, which is com- 
manded by Col. Charles A. Hamilton, and com- 
prises Queens Co. Its officers, commissioned by 
Gov. Fish, are Geo. B. Eoe, Captain ; Henry A. 
Peck, 1st Lieut.; Henry S. Barto, 2d Lieut. 



83 



ASSOCIATIONS. 

Rechahites. — The " Sons of Eecbab" were or- 
ganized for the promotion of total abstinence prin- 
ciples, March 14th, 1845. They surrendered their 
charter in 1855. 

Sons of Temperance — Were organized April l4th, 
1843. They number forty members, and thirty 
female visitors, or ** Daughters of Temperance." 

The '' Pacific Lodge, No. 85, I. O. O- i^."— Was 
instituted April 19th, 1843. It has had various 
fortunes. It still continues, however, in effi- 
cient working order, numbering fifty members. 
It has disbursed, for weekly benefits to sick mem- 
bers, an aggregate of $13 50, and for burial ex- 
penses $135, 

Yaung Men^s Christian Association- — This was 
organized in 1858. It has a good library of re- 
ligious works for the use of its members : it holds 
a weekly prayer meeting, and a meeting for lit- 
erary exercises every two weeks. The members 
are actively engaged in conducting mission sabbath 
schools, distributing tracts and attending religious 
meetings. The association is thus accomplish- 
ing much good. May it have a long and prosper- 
ous career. Peter Gorsline has been president 
since its organization. 

Flushing Library Association — This was or- 
ganized shortly after the above. Its object is to 



84 

gather a circulating library of choice booksfor the 
use of its members. From its reports it has met 
thus far, witli decided success. The library already 
numbers 1,100 volumes. Number of members or 
annual subscribers, in 1 860, is 329. May its sun 
of prosperity continue to shine long. 

The Flushing Debating Society — Was organ- 
ized in the autumn of 1859. It numbers twenty- 
one members, and meets semi-monthly. 

The Y. M. 0. A., the F. L. A., and the F. D. 
S. have their rooms over the Drug store of 0. H. 
Hedges, M. D. 

Flushing Harmonic Society. — Established in 
1854. Average number of members twenty-five. 
The objects of the society are the cultivation of 
musical taste, and proficiency among its members ; 
to raise the standard of church music in the vari- 
ous churches in the village ; and to collect a li- 
brary of valuable musical works for future prac- 
tice. The meetings for rehearsal are held weekly. 
The success ot the society in attaining the objects 
sought has been fully attested by their occasional 
public performances. 

Flushing Reading Association. — Organized in 
1857. The object of this association is to cultivate 
rhetorical practice by the careful rehearsal of Po- 
etical and Dramatical selections. The number of 
active members is limited by the constitution to 



85 

forty. There are also honorary or associate mem- 
bers to the number of twenty. The latter, however, 
take no part in the exercises, and have no voice 
in the government of the society. The manage- 
ment is vested solely in a board of three persons, 
chosen by the association every six weeks, who 
have entire control of the selection and assign- 
ment of parts for reading, who conduct the meet- 
ings and manage all the financial concerns of the 
association. The meetings are held in rotation 
at the houses of the different members once in 
two weeks during the winter season. 

The Bay Side Reading Association — Similar in 
its object to the one already mentioned — origin- 
ated in 1S58. 

The Flushing Mutual Benevolent Burial As- 
sociation — Was organized in 1851, and numbers 
eighty members. It is composed mainly of Irish- 
men, who must be citizens of the United States, 
or have declared their intentions to become such. 
Its purpose is to create a fund for mutual support 
when overtaken by infirmities or sickness, and in 
case of the death of any member, to contribute 
the necessary means for his decent interment; and 
in solemn procession to accompany his remains to 
their last resting place. 

Flushing Sewing Society. — For the relief of the 

indigent, held weekly meetings, throughout the 

8* 



86 

winter season, at tlie houses of the different mem- 
bers for more than twenty -five years Originally 
composed of members of the Episcopal Church 
only, as the village enlarged, members of other 
religious denominations became associated with it. 
During the later period of its existence, with the 
exception of one or two years, the society met at 
the hospitable mansion of a lady in the village, 
wlio, as President of the association, with true 
christian benevolence ministered to the wants of 
the needy, and relieved the necessities of the de- 
serving poor. 

Ladies' Union Aid Society. — In the winter of 
1857 — 8 the wants of our village poor became so 
urgent that it was deemed best to make a more 
general and systematic effort for their relief by 
the formation of the above mentioned society. It 
numbers fifty members, and holds weekly meetings 
during the winter season in the saloon of the 
Flushing Institute. 

The Lawrence Boat Cluh — Was organized in 
1855, and numbers eighteen members. This Club 
meets regularly each week, from May to Novem- 
ber, for the purpose of rowing. The club boat- 
house is on the premises of the Hon. John "W. 
Lawrence, by whom it was donated. 

The Naiad Boat Club — Was organized in the 
same year with the preceding. 




.?Tirtr 



87 

The Qttecn's Co. Savings Bank — Obtained 
its charter from the State Legislature in 1859, 
The Board of Directors organized in July of the 
same year, by the election of the Hon. John W. 
Lawrence, as President, and Walter Bowne, as 
Vice-President. We feel assured that this new 
institution will prove a means of great benefit to 
our community. 

Base Ball Cluls — Two organizations of thi^ 
kind exist in our village. It will be seen that our 
community are alive to the necessity of the cul- 
tivation of the physical, as well as the moral and 
intellectual parts of our nature. 

Flushing Bible Society. — A branch of the '* Long 
Island Bible Society" was established in 1S54. Its 
first work was to supply every family in our town 
with a copy of the Holy Scriptures. This was ac- 
complished through the efficient agency of their col- 
porteur. Its efforts were also directed to the estab- 
lishment of Sunday Schools in parts of our town 
remote from the village. Since its organization 
a large number of copies of the Bible and New 
Testament have been distributed in our midst. 

BURIAL PLACES. 

Private Graveyards. — Lawrence family, at Ba}^- 
side; Parsons, at Flushing; Skidmore, at Fresh 



88 

Meadows, on the Hoagland farm ; Loweree, on 
the Bowron Farm, Whitestone avenue. 

Church Graveyards. — These are connected sev- 
erally with the different churches in the village, 
viz : — St. George's Church ; St. Michael's (R. 
0.) ; Friends' meeting house ; Methodist Church, 
at Whitestone, and formerly one was attached to 
the Methodist Church in Washington street, 
but was removed in 1857. In the Quaker bu- 
rial ground nothing was formerly allowed to 
mark the spot where lay the sleeping dust. A 
sister, whose husband was laid to rest in that 
place, was desirous in some way to mark the spot, 
that it might be identified by her descendants, 
and she accordingly planted a small walnut tree 
over his grave. But an old member of the so- 
ciety, staunch in the faith, and zealous in main- 
taining the integrity of Foxian customs, soon 
plucked up the tree by the roots. The affair cre- 
ated great excitement at the time and not a little 
ill feeling. 

Flushing Cemetery — Was incorporated May 5th, 
1853. It contains twenty-one acr^, having a sur- 
face beautifully diversified and a soil well adapted 
to its purpose. It is situated one mile and a-half 
from the village, on the road to Fresh Meadows. 
It needs but the care and cultivation which affec- 



89 

tion for the departed is sure to call forth, from 
warm and loving hearts, to make it one of the 
most desirabWsleeping places for the loved and lost. 
Toivn Foot House — Was Luilt in 1851. The 
farm is located at Fresh Meadows and contains 
forty-four acres. Average number of inmates, 
in 1860, twenty-four. 

VILLAGES, &C. 

Whiteslone, was settled at a very early date, 
probably about the same time with Flushing vil- 
lage. The name is derived from a large white 
rock (referred to in the patent) which lies off the 
point where the tides from East Eiver and Long 
Island Sound meet. Many years ago, by a vote 
of the inhabitants at a public meeting, it was 
named Clintonville, after DeWitt Clinton ; but in 
1854 the old name Whitestone was restored, and 
a Post Office established. A. H. Kissam was the 
first Post Master, who was succeeded in 1857 by 
Charles H. Miller, 

Part of the village of "Whitestone is familiarly 
known as " Cookie Hill," from the following cir- 
cumstance. Many years ago a cake and candy 
woman was carried away from New York, by 
accident, in a steamboat bound up the sound and 
was put ashore at this place. She, being disposed 
to make the best of her misfortune, walked boldly 
up to the town, and soon disposed of her toothsome 



90 

stock to the idle crowd, among whom the incident 
was the subject of great mirth and gossip. 
" Cookie " is the Dutch word for cake, and this 
trifling occurrence, it appears, was sufficient to 
give a name to the locality. 

Sixty years ago, within the circumference of 
one mile, there were only twelve houses in White- 
stone, and no business was done until 1853, when 
a large establishment for the manufacture of japan, 
tin and copper ware was erected by John D. Locke 
& Co. This factory employs 1^0 hands. The 
population of the village in 1860 is about 800. 
Several Hell Gate pilots have their residence 
here. 

In the early part of the century there was a 
ferry at this point to Throgg s Neck. Its princi- 
pal business was the conveyance of cattle. A sail 
boat was employed for the purpose, and H. Kissam 
was ferryman for fourteen years. Two years ago 
an unsuccessful attempt was made to re-establish 
this ferry. 

Francis Lewis, one of the immortal signers of 
the Declaration of Independence, had a farm at 
Whitestone. He was the father of Hon. Morgan 
Lewis, one of the Governors of the State, and 
Major General U. S. A. in the war of 1812. 
The " Macedonian," after her engagement, lay oif 
the point for several weeks with the sick and 
wounded. 



91 

Sfrattonj)ort — College Point. — Eliphalet Strat- 
toD, some seventy years ago, purchased about three 
hundred and twenty acres of land in this locality 
for dCSOO. About eight years ago his daughter, as 
trustee, sold that portion which now constitutes 
the village of Strattonport for $30,000, retaining 
the balance of one hundred and eighty acres in 
the family. College Point is the north westerly 
portion or that tract of land formerly known as 
Lawrence or Tew's Neck. Here was located St. 
Paul's College under the direction of Dr. Muhlen- 
bnrgh. Its corner stone was laid by Bishop 
Onderdonk, October 15th, 1846. The Institution 
was particularly designed for the education of 
young men for the ministry of the Episcopal 
Church. With the discontinuance of the establish- 
ment the property passed into private hands. The 
College edifice is now used as a private residence. 
Divine Service has been held in the chapel during 
the summer season ever since the foundation of 
the College. 

The village of Strattonport, Qr College Point, 
now contains two thousand inhabitants. Its rapid 
growth is due to the erection, in 1854, of a large 
factory by Popenhusen & Co., called the " Enter- 
prise Works," for the manufacture of India rubber 
combs, knife handles and whalebone. This estab- 
lishment in its various departments employs nearly 



92 

five hundred hands. The Fire Department was 
organized in 1856, and consists .of Hook and Lad- 
der Company No. 1, H. L. G. Gieck, Fore ?nan; 
and Union Engine Company No. 1, V. E C. Felt- 
hauss Foreman. 

The " Harmonie," a society for mutual benefit, 
has a library consisting of three hundred vol- 
umes. The Krakelia, a musical organization and 
two Turnvereins are also sustained. 

The College Point Post Office was established 
in 1857, H. Zuberbier Post Master. Within the 
past three years several very costly villa residences 
have been erected in the northern portion of the 
village. 

Perhaps it ill befits us to point out the delin- 
quencies of our sister village, but a due regard for 
historical truth, compels us to add that a rigid 
observance of the Sabbath is not one of its com- 
mendable excellencies. Two theatres are said to 
be in full blast every Sunday evening, and its 
twelve Lager Beer Saloons, are reputed to do a 
thriving business on this day. This favorite 
beverage of the German, is here made. In the 
summer months not unfrequently do we see flags 
flying from its many places of public resort, hear 
bands of music, and occasionally listen to the tread 
of military visitors from the city, on the Sabbath 
day. Are such innovations upon our American 



93 

customs consistent with the institutions of our 
land, or with the divine Law ? 

To Dr. Muhlenburgh must be credited the first 
effort to shorten the distance to the Point, by the 
road across the meadows. He first constructed a 
plank walk, at his own expense. A road was 
afterwards built, but it was hardly in a fit condition 
for travel until the construction of the causeway 
in 1855. 

Little Neck, The immediate lands surrounding 
Little Neck, possess many interesting reminis- 
cences of the past. Eelics of the Indian tribes 
are constantly found, and the innumerable quanti- 
ty of shells found imbedded beneath the surface 
too truly denote the spots where the Warrior 
Chief and the aged Prophet rested in their wigwam? 
in fancied happy security. Perhaps the most 
interesting of these lands is the portion now known 
as " Douglass Point." These lands were first 
owned by one Thomas Hicks, long prior to the 
revolution, who forcibly seized them from the 
Indian tribes, then the occupants. They retired 
to the south side of the Island, and located in the 
vicinity of Springfield. They have become so 
mixed that scarce one of pure Indian descent" 
can now be found, Stephen Burtis who resided 
at " Wigwam Pond," some sixty years ago, is the 
9 



94 

last known to be of strictly pure descendency. 
This pond, now known as Success Pond, is situated 
on the ridge of hills, forming part of the chain 
commonly called the ''back bone " of Long Island. 
It has obtained much notoriety from the numerous 
fossil remains and Indian implements of war found 
in its vicinity. The old *' tomb stones," now in the 
last stage of decay, in its immediate locality, are 
painfully indicative of the final resting place of 
the brave hearts of those who fought for that 
home of which they were the first possessors. 

** Point Douglass " passed successively from 
Thomas Hicks to •* Sheaf," a Hollander, thence to 
Thomas Weeks, by whom it was sold to Wynandt 
Van Zandt, who at his death bequeathed a portion 
to his children, by whom it was disposed of to its 
present owner, George Douglass. 

Prior to 1821, the only road between Little 
Neck and Flushing was through what is now 
known as " the alley," serpentine and hilly and 
increasing the distance more than two miles before 
reaching its terminus at the corner known as the 
*' Lonely Barn," near the residence of Mr. Ahlis. 
In 1824, the road from Little Neck Hotel was 
donated, the causeway constructed, and the bridge 
built by Mr. Van Zandt at his own expense. In 
1834 the road was turnpiked under charter, to 
Koslyn, and three years subsequently as far east- 



95 

ward as Oyster Bay. A Post Office was estab- 
lished in 1859, J. A. Chapman Post Master. 

*' St. Ronan's Well." This singular wooded 
eminence, although not situated within the limits 
of our town is worthy of mention. It contains 
about twelve acres, and at high tide is entirely 
surrounded by water, In 1645 it was in the 
possession of Adrien Van der Doncli, that dis- 
tinguished " doctor of both laws." The Doctor 
was familiarly called the Yonker, a dutch title for 
a gentleman ; and from this circumstance this 
piece of upland was known until recently as 
Yonker's Island, Afterward it was called *' Snake 
Hill." For many years it has been a favorite place 
of resort for target and pic-nio excursions from 
the city and elsewhere. 



96 



CHAPTER. V. 

OBJECTS OF INTEREST— BOWNE HOUSE— FOX OAKS 
—FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE— &c. &c. 

The old Bowne House on Bowne Avenue was 
erected in IG61, by the first John Bowne. It has 
oak flooring, fastened to the beams by oak pins. 
In one of its rooms the early Friends held their 
meetings for nearly forty years. The family 
possess a number of interesting relics of antiquity, 
an old fashioned clock reaching from the ceiling 
to the floor, and still preaching as impressively as 
two hundred years ago, its solemn sermon of time's 
rapid flight ; a lounge on which the celebrated 
George Fox rested after his fatiguing labors when 
on his visit to Flushing in 1672 : (will modern 
lounges wear as long ?) ; an old table with legs of 
a thickness surprising to modern eyes, from which 
the Friends at their Quarterly Meetings have often- 
times partaken of " the good things of this life;" 
an old Bible, in black letter type, dated 1G22, and 
a scrap book, in which are preserved a large num- 
ber of manuscript letters, and papers, of which one is 
dated 1622, two hundred and thirty-six years old. 

In repairing the house a few years since a hole 
was discovered in one of the walls, which had been 
plastered over, and in which doubtless valuables 



97 

were once concealed. Yet this old house has been 
subjected to modern innovations, being heated by a 
furnace and illuminated by gas. 

Near by is another venerable relic, the large 
oak tree, known as the *' Fox Oak," which is sup- 
posed to be about four hundred years old. Another 
formerly stood a short distance from it. As com- 
panions they had stood side by side, and bade 
defiance to the fierceness of the tempest and the 
stroke of the thunderbolt. For centuries not an 
angry word passed between them, not a sullen 
look had darkened the brow of either. Their 
huge arms had been outstretched toward each 
other only for friendly embrace. But on 25th 
October, 1841, one of these sturdy brothers bowed 
his head and passed away. 

Here we must be permitted to insert the follow- 
ing articles, written at the time, by fellow towns, 
men and published in the first number of the 
Flushing Journal. 

Thompson in his history of Long Island, 
r. scribes the first to Col. Wm. L. Stone, Editor 
of the New York Commercial Advertiser, not a 
little complimentary to its true author, James B. 
Parsons. It is headed 

"A Veteran gone." 

** The oldest inhabitant of Flushing, is no more. 

During the afternoon of the 2.5th iust. one of the 
9* 



98 

venerable oaks, which for so many centuries have 
been a prominent object in Bowne Avenue, near 
the village of Flushing, was prostrated to the 
ground. To a stranger, this contains no higher 
occasion for regret than the removal of a noble 
tree, by the operation of the inevitable laws of 
nature ; but to those who have passed many a 
happy hour of childhood in gathering the acorns 
which fell from it, and have made it the scene of 
of their youthful sports, it seems like the removal 
of a venerated relative, as if one of the few visible 
links, which in this utilitarian land connects us 
with the past, was severed." 

To the members of the Society of Friends, these 
trees possessed a historical interest, from the cir- 
cumstance that beneath them about the year 1C73, 
the dauntless founder of their sect,* with that pow- 
er and eloquence of truth, which drew to his stand- 
ard Penn and Barclay and a host of men like them? 
preached the Gospel of Redemption to a mixed 
assemblage, among which might be seen many a 
son of the swarthy family, whose wrongs and suf- 
ferings elicit to this day the active eiforts of his 

* George Fox, in his wonderful journal, thus speaks of his visit to 
Flushing : - » i- 

" 1672." From Oyster Bay we passed about thirty miles to Flush- 
Ing, where we had a very large meeting, many hundreds of people 
being there ; some of whom came about thirty miles to it. A glorious 
and heavenly meetJng it was (praised be the Lord God !) and the peo. 
pie were much satisfied. 



99 

followers on their behalf. Some seventy years 
since these honored trees were threatened with 
demolition by the owner of the adjacent property ; 
but for the sake of the venerable past were pur- 
chased by John Bowne, a lineal descendant of the 
old worthy of the same name, who listened to the 
preaching of Fox and embraced his doctrines, for 
which he was afterwards sent to Holland in irons, 
where he was honorably liberated by the Dutch 
Government, and a severe reprimand administer- 
ed to Stuyvesant. The time-honored mansion, in 
which he entertained Fox, and accommodated the 
regular meetings of the Society for many years, is 
still standing and in good repair. — Oct. 25th, 1841. 
The other article is by Samuel B. Parsons, and 
is entitled 

" THE FLUSHING OAK." 

** The Ancient Oak hes prostrate now, 

Its hmbs embrace the sod, 
Where in the Spirit's strength and might 

Our pious fathers trod ; 
"Where underneath its spreading arms 

And by its shadows broad, 
Clad in simplicity and truth. 

They met to worship God. 

" No stately pillars round them rose, 

No dome was reared on high ; 
The oaks their only columns were, 

Their roof the arching sky ; 



100 

No organ's deep-toned notes arose, 

Or vocal songs were heard ; 
Their music was the passing wind, 

Or song of forest bird. 

" And as His Spirit reached their hearts, 

By man's lips speaking now, 
A holy fire was in their eye, 

Pure thought upon their brow ; 
And while in silence deep and still. 

Their souls all glowing were 
With heart-felt peace and joy and love, 

They felt that God was there. 

" Those pure and simple minded men, 

Have now all passed away, 
And of the scenes in which they moved, 

These only relics lay ; 
And soon the last surviving oak, 

In its majestic pride. 
Will gather up its failing limbs, 

And wither at its side. 

" Then guard with care its last remains. 

Now that its race is run ; 
No sacriligious hand should touch 

The forest's noblest one ; 
And when the question may be asked, 

Why that old trunk is there ; 
'Tis but the place, in olden time, 

God's holiest altars were." 



101 

The old Quaker meeting house, still in good 
preservation and used for religious meetings, was 
erected In 1695, and bears the marks of revolu- 
tionary occupancy. , 

The small building near the dwelling of G. R. 
Garretson, on a line with the street, is supposed 
to be nearly as old as the Bowne house. It was 
formerly one of the principal stores in the village, 
and was afterwards used jointly as a drug store 
and a silversmith shop. It is now occupied by 
Mr. Garretson as a seed storehouse. 

The old "Guard House" to which frequent 
reference is made in various records, and which 
we shall have occasion to mention hereafter, was 
a long, low, frame building, erected originally for 
purposes of defence, and used ultimately as a 
town jail. It stood at the corner of Union street 
and Broadway. 

The Whipping-post, an institution of the olden 
time, at which many a poor /^Z/oz^; expiated the 
crime of stealing and such minor offences against 
the majesty of the law, stood nearly opposite the 
Flushing Hotel, a few feet from the present curb 
stone. It was abolished fifty years ago. 

Another object of interest, about which every 
stranger, up^n coming into the village, is sure to 
make enquiries, is that noble specimen of architec- 
ture, with splendid columns upholding its portico, 



102 

with one room about sixteen by twenty feet, for the 
accommodation of the village Aldermen, and with 
its four smaller rooms underneath for the accom- 
modation of those who need the restraints of law. 
The Village Hall, while it was eminently credita- 
ble to the enterprise and liberality of the citizens, 
and answered all the necessities of the place at 
the time of its erection, is now wholly inadequate 
to our wants. It is itself a standing appeal to our 
enterprising citizens for its demolition, and the 
erection in its room of a building which will fur- 
nish accommodations for the Board of Trustees ; 
a place for holding elections ; a hall for public 
lectures ; rooms for Lyceum purposes, Library, 
&c. We know of no place of the size and wealth 
of Flushing which is not provided with something 
of this kind. Efforts have indeed been made from 
time to time to effect this object, but hitherto 
without success. We trust the day is not far dis- 
tant when we shall be able to point with becoming 
pride to a Village Hall worthy of our beautiful 
village, and commensurate with our wants. We 
scarcely know of any one thing by which our men 
of means could do more for the intellectual and 
moral benefit of the place, than by uniting their 
efforts and liberality, and determining that this 
"consummation so devoutly to be wished for" 
shall be reached 



m^ 



i 



ry<^ 



4f^j 







v^S-I^ . 



% 



^^^^ 



S7 MICHAELS CATHOLIC CHURCH 



% 103 

One of the most beautiful characteristics of our 
village is the great number of ornamental trees 
that adorn its streets, and the grounds and gar- 
dens of its residents. This generation does, and 
succeeding ones will, hold in grateful remem- 
brance those public-spirited individuals, who ori- 
ginated and have encouraged this branch of home 
industry and internal improvements. We trust 
this work will be continued, and that not a street 
will be opened without these adornments studding 
its walks. It was commenced about forty years 
ago, by Samuel Parsons, father of the Messrs. 
Parsons.* With his own hand he planted the first 
shade trees along the Bay Side road. His exam- 
ple was followed extensively, and the result is 

* Samuel Parsons is represented to us as " a fine specimen of a 
Christian gentleman, of polished manners, and liberal classical educa- 
tion. His benevolent and religious qualities were such that he wa ^ 
always iu demand when trouble, sickness or death came upon the vil- 
lagers. No one probably ever lived in the place more generally mark- 
ed and beloved than he." That such was his character, I find support- 
ed by the testimony of all of whom I have made enquiry who were 
acquainted with him, and cherish his memory. 1 will therefore, be 
pardoned for quoting a few lines which record with filial tenderuess 
the grateful remembrance of a father's worth, 

" Our Father was so thoroughly imbued 

With all the Christian graces, grafted on 

A nature gentle as a woman's eoul, 

That all the people loved him, and they came 

To him for counsel, and they sent for him 

When death's dark ehadowa gathered o'er their heads , 



104 W 

seen in the beauty of our place. Without these 
it would be shorn of much of its attractiveness. 



For well they knew that with the Holy One 
He held communion ; and in silent awe, 
They listened to his fervent loving prayers 
That faith in Christ, and in his wondrous love, 
Might light the pathway of the dying one, 
And lead him to the realms of endless day. 
And sometimes, in a twilight hour like this, 
He'd gather us around him, kneel in prayer, 
And pour out for us such beseeching words, 
That all the room seemed full of Angel's wings, 
And, to our youthful hearts, a Presence seemed 
Hovering around, as visible to sense 
As the Shekinah which the Hebrew saw." 



105 



CHAPTER VI. 

PERSONAL IXCIDEXTS— REMINISCENCES-REV. FRAN- 
CIS DOUGHTY, CAPT. JOHN UNDERUILL, REUBEN 
BOWEN, AND OTHERS. 

In this chapter our original purpose was to have 
given a brief sketch of those whose names are 
found in the charter of incorporation, and whose 
descendants are still living among us. But we find 
the materials so scanty, at least such as we can 
collectin the limited time at our command, that we 
have abandoned that intention, and present such 
as we have under another form. For many of 
the facts stated we are indebted to papers collect- 
ed by Peter S. Townsend,M. D., and now in posses- 
sion of Robert Townsend, Esq., of Albany, who 
kindly permitted us their use. 

Rev. Francis Doughty. SomiC obscurity exists 
concerning this person. The following is the most 
connected account we can gather : — ■ 

It appears he " came to New England at the 
commencement of the troubles in England, and 
found that he had got out of the frying pan into 
the fire.*' He seemes to have preached at Taun- 
ton, Mass., and " for declaring that Abraham 

ought to have been baptised," he was bv order of 
10 



106. 

the Magistrates dragged by the Constables out of 
the public assembl5^ and soon after was compell- 
ed to leave with his children. 

He also preached at Linn, Mass., where he de- 
nied baptism to infants. This doctrine could not 
be tolerated in that puritanical atmosphere. 

He consequently betook himself to New Neth- 
erlands. He settled at Mespath, Long Island, 
and as agent for some families who were to fol- 
low, obtained a patent, "with manorial privile- 
ges," of considerable land of which he was to have 
" a bouerie" in return for his services as Preach- 
er, and from which he was to obtain his liv- 
ing. About one year after his settlement began, 
war broke out, and the colony was scattered. He, 
with most of the colony, went to the city, and 
ministered there. After peace was established he 
was required to return, which, after some time, he 
did, and remained half a year, when he again re- 
moved. 

In 1645, or soon after, he became the minister 
at Vlissengen. A few years subsequently he had 
some difficulty with them touching the amount of 
his salary. 

In a Report to Olassis of Amsterdam, dated 
Aug. 5th, 1657, by Eevds. John Megapolensis and 
Samuel Drisius, they say, " At Flushing they 
heretofore had a Presbyterian Preacher who 



107 

conformed to our Church, but many of them be- 
came endowed with divers opinions, and it was 
with them quot liomines tot Sententice. They ab- 
sented themselves from preaching, nor would they 
pay the Preacher his promised stipend. The said 
preacher was obliged to leave the place and to 
repair to the English Virginias," " Last year a 
fomenter of errors came there. He began to 
preach at Flushing and then went with the people 
into the river and dipped them." He was arrest- 
ed and banished the province. Which of these 
two refers to Rev. Mr Doughty we can not de- 
termine. The Baptist views would indicate the 
latter; but the dates, the removal to Virginia, 
and the refusal to pay, point to the former, which 
we are inclined to favor. 

In 1653 — 4 we find him before the Bergomas- 
ter's Court, in New Netherlands, in an action 
versus John Lawrence, defendant, with reference 
to his salary as Clergyman. He is dissatisfied 
with the amount paid him and declares what was 
promised to him. He is recommended to lay his 
case before the Director-General and Council. In 
1656 he went to Virginia, and in 1659 he was in 
Maryland. 

What became of him is not known. He was 
unquestionably the first religious teacher in Flush- 
ing, and had adopted Baptist views of the ordi 



108 

nance of Baptism. He was the progenitor of the 
Doughty family on the Island. 

John Marston, Sr. His will is dated Feb. 14th, 
1670 — 1. " I will my two sons, John and Cor- 
nelius, to my well beloved friend John Hinch- 
man,* to live with him, and to be wholly at his 
disposing, till they come of age according to law." 
After payment of his debts the estate all goes to 
his two sons, "Except one gold ring and one sil- 
ver thimble. I give to my daughter Elizabeth 
the ring, and to my daughter Catharine the 
thimble." 

Wm. Thorne Jr. purchased the land called after 
him, 'I'horne's Neck, afterwards called Willet's 
Point, and lately sold to the Government of the 
United States. He is the progenitor of this 
numerous and respectable family. He removed 
from Sandwich, iMass. to Flushing in 1642. Tra- 
dition gives him two brothers. One of them set- 
tled at Cow Neck, and was an enthusiastic sports- 
man, bringing his hounds with him from England. 
Walking over his fields one day, dejected and 
melancholy, it is supposed, over his difiiculties 
and prospects in the new world, he committed 
suicide by twisting a sappling round his neck. 



* He was first owner of a large estate at Bay-Side which he sold to 
Thomas Hicks, Junr. 



109 

Edward Ffarrington was brother-in-law of Jolm 
Bowne. His will is dated " 14th day of the 4th 
month, 1673." He wills, after the decease of 
his wife Dorothy, to his ** eldest son John," all his 
* housing, land, orchard, gardens in the town of 
Fflushing, &c, to returne to the next heire, male, 
of the blood of the Ffarringtons, and soe from 
generation to generation for ever." The pride 
and prejudice in favor of primogeniture are very 
conspicuous. 

Captain John Underbill. This famous individ- 
ual, ** one of the most dramatic persons in our 
early history," came from England to Massa- 
chusetts, shortly after the commencement of the 
colony. He appears to have been of a bold, 
daring, restless, reckless temper, and was in 
almost constant difficulties, sometimes with the 
church, sometimes with the government. He was 
frequently employed in the engagements between 
the whites and the Indians. He was in the war 
against the Block Islanders, and received an arrow 
through his coat and another against the helmet, 
on his forehead — which helmet he was induced to 
wear by the advice of his wife: "therefore" he says, 
" let no man despise the advice and counsel of 
his wife, tliough she be a ivoman. It were strange 
to nature to think a man should be bound to fulfil 

the humour of a woman, what arms he should 
10» 



no 

carry, but you know God will have it so, that a 
woman should overcome a man. "What with De- 
lilah's flattery, and with her mournful tears, they 
must, and will have their desire." He was ex- 
communicated upon his own confession of adul- 
tery, but by his repeated confessions, many tears 
and prayers was restored to membership and re- 
leased from banishment. 

In 1644 he came to Long Island, and for a time 
resided in Flushing. He wanted military em- 
ployment. But as the colonies refused to take 
part in the difficulties between England and Hol- 
land, he applied to Hhode Island, which gave a 
commission to him and William Dyre " to go 
against the Dutch, or any enemies of the common- 
wealth of England." A guard of soldiers was 
sent by the Dutch authorities to apprehend him ; 
but he promised to be faithful to the Dutch, and 
was thereupon set at liberty. In 1667 the Matiue- 
cock Indians conveyed to him a large tract of their 
lands. A part of this, appropriately named Kil- 
lingworth, situate at Oyster Bay, remained in 
the family for nearly two hundred years. He 
died in 1672. 

We find the following quaint, interesting, and 
characteristic declaration of Independence, which 
must have been proclaimed about the time of his 
commission by Ehode Island, to fight the Dutch : 



Ill 

<• May 20th, after the birth of Christ 1653. 

" Vindication of Capt. John Underhill in the 
name of as many Dutch and English as the mat- 
ter concerns, which justly compels us to renounce 
the iniquitous government of Peter Stuyvesant 
over the inhabitants living and dwelling on Long 
Island, in America. 

" We declare that it is right and proper to de- 
fend ourselves and our rights, which belong to a 
free people, against the abuse of the above nam- 
ed government. 

" We have transported ourselves hither at our 
cost, and many among us have purchased their 
lands from the Indians, the right owners thereof. 
But a great portion of the lands which we occu- 
py, being, as yet, unpaid for, the Indians come 
daily and complain that they have been deceived 
by the Dutch Secretary, called Cornelus, whom 
they have characterized, even in the presence of 
Stuyvesant, as a rogue, a knave, and a liar ; assert- 
ing that he himself had put their names down in 
the book, and saying that this was not a just and 
lawful payment, but a pretence and fraud similar 
to that which occasioned the destruction of Jo'^s 
Hutchinsen and Mr. Collins, to the number of nine 
persons. 

''III. He hath unlawfully retained from several 
persons their lands which they had purchased 



112 

from the natives, and which were confirmed io 
them under the hand and seal of the previous 
Governor. 

" IV. He hath unlawfully imposed taxes con- 
trary to the privileges of free men ; namely, six 
stivers per acre, chimney money and head mo- 
ney ; the tenth part of all our grain, flax, hemp 
and tobacco ; the tenth part of butter and cheese 
from those who pasture cattle ; excessive duties 
on exported goods, fifteen stivers for a beaver ; 
all of which taxes aie to be paid by the poor far 
mers to maintain a lazy horde of tyrants over in 
nocent subjects. 

" V. He hath, in violation of liberty of con 
science, and contrary to hand and seal, enforced 
articles upon the people, ordering them otherwise, 
against the laws of God and Man, to quit the 
country within two months. 

'* VI. He hath imprisoned both English and 
Dutch, without trial, setting them at liberty 
again, after the manner of a Popish inquisition 
to their great Sorrow, damage and loss of time, 
himself not having any patent from James, King 
of England, the right grantor thereof 

"VII. He hath also imposed general laws forbid- 
ding the inhabitants to sell their goods or to brew 
their grain, without the approbation of the gov- 
ernment. 



113 

" VIII. He hath neglected to avenge English 
and Dutch blood shed by the Indians since the 
peace. 

" IX. He hath treacherously and undoubtedly 
conspired, as proved, to murder all the English. 

'* X. He hath been guilty of barbarous cruelty 
towards Mr. Jacob Wolfertsen and his wife, at the 
time of the birth of their child. 

" XI. He hath acted treacherously towards 
Thomas Miton, f(3r, notwithstanding the govern- 
ment hath promised him safe and secure conduct, 
he hath ordered his arrest and extradition. 

" XII. He hath been guilty of the unheard-of 
act of striking, with his cane, an old gentleman, a 
member of his Council, and had publicly threat- 
ened every freeman who does not conform to his 
pleasure. 

" XIII. He hath, moreover, imposed magistrates 
on freemen without election and voting. This 
great autocracy and tyranny is too grievous for 
any brave Englishman and good Christian any 
longer to tolerate. In addition to all this, the 
Dutch have proclaimed war against every Eng- 
lishman who live wherever he may wisli or like. 

" The above grounds are sufficient for all honest 
hearts that seek the glory of God and their own 
peace and prosperity, to throw off this tyrannical 
yoke. Accept and submit ye, then, to the Parlia- 



114 

ment of England, and beware ye of becoming 
traitors to one another, for the sake of your own 
quiet and welfare. 

Written by me, 

John Underbill." 

Michael Milnor. It was at his house that the 
Flushing people met to draw up the famous remon- 
strance, which we have elsewhere given, against 
the oppressive acts of Gov. Stuyvsant towards 
the Quakers. 

Jonathan Wright, Sr. The only notice we have 
seen of him is that he had children, named as 
follows : — Jonathan, David, John, Charles, Job, 
Samuel, Eichard, Henry, George, Elizabeth, Sa- 
rah, Mary, Hannah. 

Richard Cornell was Justice of the Peace at 
Flushing, Feb. 17th, 1668. 

Wm. Hallett was Scout or Constable, in 1668. 
The inhabitants presented to the Governor Gen- 
eral the following petition : — 
*' Right Honorable, Wee your humble petitioners, 
having some hopes and confidence in your clem- 
ency and favor, are boulde to present you with a 
few lines in behalf of our Scout, Mr. William 
Hallett, &c." And particularly, it would appear, 
in behalf of his children who '* depend on him 
for meate, drinke, and clothing, &c. ;" "the man 



115 

having great loss in the late warres, therefore out 
of human pity and commisseration wee are boulde 
to supplicate your honor, for his release and ac- 
quittance, what offence he hath committed wee are 
ignorant of, therefore we can neither justifye nor 
condemn. However we take you for the preserver 
of our liberties, and if through v^eakness wee doe 
offend wee hope you will be instructive, not de- 
structive to us. Therefore as christian petition- 
ers wee despaire not to find peace and favor from 
you and humbly desire your Lordship to have 
compassion on our friend and neighbour with re- 
spect to his family, and we shall ever, &c," 

But the petition was unsuccessful, and the Scout 
was banished March 9th, 1648. His crime was 
it is said, adultery. 

John, William, and Thomas Lawrence, three 
brothers, of which John was the eldest, were 
among the earliest English settlers on Long Isl- 
and. Thomas, the youngest brother, by purchase 
from the Dutch settlers, became proprietor of 
the whole of Hell-gate, where he resided, and 
from whom the Newtown branch of the family 
have descended. 

John soon removed from Flushing to New Am- 
sterdam, where he held various important public 
stations, both under the Dutch and English rule 
He died in 1699, when over eighty years of age 



IIG 

William continued to reside at Flushing during 
his life. He was a very extensive landed pro- 
prietor; and at his death his sword, plate, and 
other personals, were valued at ^£4,432 sterling. 
He was a man of superior mind, liberal educa- 
tion, great energy and decision of character, as 
his letters to Stuyvesant and council show. He' 
held civil and military offices under both Dutch 
and English. His descendants are very numer- 
ous. Part of his lands are now occupied by de- 
scendents from his third son Joseph, by his se- 
cond wife, viz : — James, Wm. Augustus, and 
Charles Crummeline Lawrence. From his first 
son, William, by his first wife, are descended 
Judge Effingham W. Lawrence and Hon. John 
W. Lawrence, whose father seems to have left 
Flushing at an early age, returned in 1794, and 
purchased the property where his sons now 
reside. 

The residence of the first Wm. Lawrence was 
at Lawrence's or Tew's Neck. He died in 1680. 
His son Joseph, mentioned above, while residing 

We do not give a more detailed genealogy of the Lawrence family, 
aBit is given in full in works expre-ssly devoted to it, and accessible to 
all interested in the matter. There must have existed a very strong 
conservative element in the family to have preserved so large a land- 
ed property among them through several generations, in this country, 
where lands are not entailed. It certainly manifests a stability of 
haracter not frequently observed in our population. 



117 

on his estate, on Little Neck Bay, became inti- 
mate with Lord Effingham, a commander of a 
British frigate, anchored in the Sound, near his 
mansion. In compliment to so distinguished a 
stranger, his grand"Son was named Effingham. 
This, we believe, was the introduction of that name 
in the family. 

John Bowne was born at Matlock in Derby- 
shire, England, in 1627. He came to Boston in 
1649, and shortly after settled at Flushing. He 
married in 1656, Hannah, daughter of Robert Field, 
and sister of the wife of Oapt. John Underbill. His 
wife attended the meetings of the Quakers, and 
within a short time joined the Society. He soon 
followed her example. For adhering to the So- 
ciety and attending their meetings, he was ar- 
rested, tried and fined twenty-five Flemish pounds ; 
and refusing to pay, was cast into prison, and at 
length, in 1663, was transported to Holland, '* for 
the welfare of community, and to crush as far as 
it is possible that abominable sect, who treat with 
contempt both the political magistrates and the 
ministers of God's holy word, and endeavor to 
undermine the police and religion." Upon "ma- 
nifesting his case" to the West India Company, 
at Amsterdam, they did not utter ** one word 
tending to the approval of any thing" that had 

been done by way of religious persecution. In 
11 



118 

their next despatch to Gov. Stuyvesant they re- 
buked him as follows : — " Although it is our de- 
sire that similar and other sectarians may not be 
found there, yet as the contrary seems to be the 
fact, we doubt very much whether rigorous pro- 
ceedings against them ought not to be discontinu- 
ed ; unless, indeed, you intend to check and de- 
stroy your population, which, in the youth of your 
existence, ought rather to be encouraged by all 
possible means. Wherefore, it is our opinion that 
some connivance is useful, and that at least the 
consciences of men ought to remain free and un- 
shackled. Let every one remain free as long as 
he is modest, moderate, his political conduct irre- 
proachable, and as long as he does not offend 
others or oppose the government. This maxim 
of moderation has always been the guide of our 
magistrates in this city ; and the consequence has 
been that people have flocked from every land to 
this asylum. Tread thus in their steps, and we 
doubt not you will be blessed." Ah ! those lib- 
eral-minded, far-seeing Dutchmen in the Father- 
land, amid all the clouds which rolled up grace- 
fully as " divinest incense" from their smoking 
pipes, understood the value of civil and religious 
liberty ; and they maintained it too at a sacrifice 
of treasure and a baptism of blood, such as no 



119 

other nation has ever paid for a like priceless 
possession. 

The following paper, without date or direction, 
was doubtless presented at some stage in these 
proceedings, probably, to the West India Com- 
pany, in the year 1662. 

" Friends — The paper drawn up for me to sub- 
scribe I have perused and weighed, and doe find 
the same not according to that engagement to me 
through one of your members (viz) that hee or 
you would doe therein by me as you would be 
done unto, and noe otherwise. Ffor which of you 
being talien by force from your wife and ffamillie 
(without just case) would be bound from return- 
ing to them, unlesse upon termes to Act Contra- 
rie to your Consciences, deny your faith and Reli- 
gion, yet to this (in effect) doe you require of mee 
and noe lesse. But truly I can not think that 
you did in sober earnest ever think that I would 
subscribe to any such thing ; it being the very 
thing for which I rather chuse freely to suffer 
want of the Company of my dear wife and chil- 
dren, imprisonment of my person, and the ruien 
of my estate in my absence there, and the losse 
of my goods here, than to yield or consent unto 
such an unreasonable thing, as you thereby would 
injoyn mee unto ; ffor which I am persuaded, you 
will not only be judged in the sight of God, but 



120 

by good and Godly men, rather to have mocked 
at the oppressions of the oppressed and added 
afflictions to the afflicted, than herein to have 
done to mee, as you in the like case would be done 
unto, which the Eoyal Law of our God requires. 

" I have with patience and moderation waited 
severall weekes, expecting Justice from you, but 
behold an addition to my oppression is the meas- 
ure I receive. Wherefore I have this now to re- 
quest for you, that the Lord will not lay this to 
your charge, but to give eyes to see, and hearts to 
doe Justice, that you may find mercy with the 
Lord in the day of Judgment. 

John Bovine." 

The exile returned to his home after an absence 
of two years, and persecution ceased in New 
Netherlands. 

His wife, who was a preacher in the Society, 
left for England on a preaching tour in 1675. 
He followed her in 1676. She died in 1677. 
Shortly after he returned and married a second 
time in 1679. This wife died in 1690. He mar- 
ried a third wife in 1693. He died in 1695, aged 
sixty-eight years. After his death, the Society 
at their yearly meeting, made this record : ** he 
did abundance of good, and died beloved by all 
sorts of people." 



121 

Six John Bownes have successively occupied 
the "old Bowne house;" the last dying in 1804, 
aged sixty-four years. Ann Bowne, a daughter 
of the last, still resides in the family mansion. 

Here we may relate an anecdote of the first 
John Bowne, which tradition has preserved in the 
family. He was journeying with a brother Friend 
to the city. At some point along the road when 
passing a piece of woods, a huge black bear rush- 
ed out of the thicket with an evident intention of 
regaling his palate with the blood and flesh of the 
non-resisting Friends. But Bowne had no thought 
of being so summarily served up. So on the prin- 
ciple of self defence he watched Bruin's approach 
and thrust his cane down the throat of his antago- 
nist, who had murder in his looks, with such effi- 
cient though Quakerly force that after a moment's 
struggle, poor Bruin fell and expired. 

Francis Bloodgood. Among the Dutch fa- 
milies, who very early settled at Flushing, was 
the Bloodgood, January 13th 177G. Letters of 
administration were granted by Gov. Andros 
to Elizabeth, wife of Francis Bloodgood, of 
Flushing. 

The following account of this person and his 
descendants is condensed from a statement fur- 
nished by Simeon De Witt Bloodgood, Esq., of 
IP 



122 

New York, and by Dr. Abr'm Bloodgood of Flush- 
ing. He emigrated from Holland, but in what 
year is not known. In Sept. 1673 he was chosen 
Magistrate of Flushing. March 22d, 1674 ; *' a 
Commission was this day given by the Governor 
General to Francis Bloetgoet, Chief of the inhabit- 
ants of the Dutch Nation residing in the Villages 
Vlissengen, Heemstede, Rusdorp and Middle- 
bergh, and the places belonging to these districts, 
by which the aforesaid F. B. is Commanded to 
Communicate to said inhabitants that they on the 
first notice of the enemy's arrival, or on the arri- 
val of more ships than one, at once shall march 
well armed towards the city upon the penalty," 
&c. A farther commission was issued to him to 
sit as " Privy Counsellor," in consultation with 
the Governor as to the surrender of the colony to 
the English. He was also appointed Commis- 
sioner to visit the Swedish settlement on the 
Delaware. From these facts it is evident he was 
a man of no little distinction. 

Of his next immediate descendents little is 
known. He had grandchildren, Abram and James. 
At an early age they were left orphans under the 
care of a relative, but made their way in the 
world for themselves. They emigrated to Alba- 
ny, engaged in business and accumulated hand- 
some fortunes. 



123 

Abraham was bora in 1 741 in the town of Flush- 
ing. He became a merchant in Albany, and mar- 
ried Mrs. Lynott, who had two daughters at the 
time ; one of whom married the celebrated Sime- 
on De Witt. He was frequently elected to the 
Common Council of Albany — was a member of 
the Convention which accepted the Constitution 
of the United States, and was one of ten who 
met in the old Vanden Heyden House, in Pearl 
street, and founded the Democratic party of this 
State. He had four sons, Francis, James, Lynott 
and Joseph. The latter chose the Medical pro- 
fession. He graduated from the University of 
Pennsylvania in 1806, and .was appointed Trus- 
tee of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of 
New York in 1811. Upon the strength of an in- 
vitation from a number of the most prominent citi- 
zens of Flushing he came to this place in 1812. 
He was for many years an eminent practitioner. 
He died March 7th, 1851, aged sixty-seven years 
six months and twenty-one days. He had four 
daughters, one married Wm. Boardman, formerly 
minister of the Presbyterian church at Newtown, 
Long Island. He had eight sons, Abraham, Isaac, 
Joseph, William, Frances, Lynott, John T. and 
De Witt C. Four only are living, Isaac, Wil- 
liam, John and Abraham. 



]9A 



CHAPTER VII. 

SCHOOLS— INSTITUTIONS— NURSERIES AND 
NEWSPAPERS. 

Schools. — Of the early schools I have obtained 
but little information. Lindley Murray Moore 
kept a school for several years, in a building 
which stood on the site of the present Flushing 
Hotel. He left about 1827, and was succeeded 
by the late Joshua Kimber ; he was succeeded by 
William Chase, who relinquished the school in 
1858. A school was also kept, we are informed, 
for many years in the old Friends' meeting house. 

The old Lecture Room of the Episcopal church, 
lately removed, was built for an academy, and was 
the first in the village. It cost $1,250. The ex- 
pense, we learn from William R. Prince, was borne 
mainly by five persons, viz : — Hutchins Smith, 
(father of D. Thorne Smith,) William Prince, John 
Aspinwall and two others whose names are not 
known. In this building, William A. Houghton, 
now of New York, taught a school from 1819 to 
1825. 

Rev. Charles Carpenter, a Methodist minister, 
kept a boarding and day school about four years. 



^±^ 



-^-^^^/ 




I 







125 

from 1820 to 1824. He resided in the old Far- 
rington house, and his school-room was in Wash- 
ington Street, a few doors above James Ewbank's 
store. 

Flushing Institute. — This was incorporated 
April 16th 1827. The corner stone of the edifice 
was laid August 23d, 1827. It contained a Greek 
Testament, Newspapers, names of county officers 
etc. It was at first occupied by Eev. Dr. William 
A. Muhlenburg for ten years as a school for boys. 
Then under the name of St. Ann's Hall, it was a 
school for young ladies of which Ilev. Dr. Schroe- 
der was principal. It was again changed into a 
school for young gentlemen, under the principal- 
ship of the late Elias Fairchild. His son, E. A, 
Fairchild, still continues it, as principal and pro- 
prietor. The success which has crowned his 
earnest, well-directed eflTorts attests its character 
for instruction and discipline. 

St. ThomaslHall. — This was erected by Eev. 
Francis L. Hawks in 1839. His buildings and ar- 
rangements were probably as perfect as ever were 
designed for such purposes. Connected with the 
present edifices, formerly, was a large circular brick 
building having eight school-rooms with small re- 
citation rooms and other conveniences. The doors 
were constructed of glass. In the centre was an 
elevated platform, which commanded a view of 



1:26 

all the class rooms. A circular stairs led to tbe 
dome of the building, up which refractory boys 
were sent. Dr. Hawks relinquished it in 1843. 
It remained vacant about a year. The property 
was then purchased by Gerardus Beekman Doch- 
erty, L. L. D. and Dr. Oarmichael, then of Hemp- 
stead. The latter remained about a year. Dr. 
Docherty continued until 1848. Rev. Wm. H. 
Gilder purchased and took possession July 1st, 
1848. It is now a regularly chartered Female 
College, being one of three in the State. It con- 
fers degrees and diplomas to those young ladies who 
pursue the entire course of study as prescribed.* 

The late Jemima Hammond had a private 
school for several years in her residence in Ailan- 
thus place. 

In the same building Mrs. Sarah K. Roberts 
now conducts a school designed both for young 
ladies and small children.! 

Miss Blake has also successfully conducted a 
school for young children, in the Lecture Room 
of the Methodist Church. 

In the Fall of 1859, Rev. Henry Dana Ward, 
and Mrs. Ward opened a school for young ladies 
in the building on the corner of State and Linnseus 
Streets. 

* Since writing the above this school has been discontinued. 

t Mrs, Roberta has since removed to the comraodioiis building on 
the comer of State and Farrington Streets. 



127 

Public School, — The system of Free Schools 
originated in Geneva, and in parishes of Scotland. 
John Calvin was "the father of popular education. 
It is the glory of our Fathers to have established 
in the laws the equal claims of every child to the 
public care of its morals and its mind."* 

The only Public School in Flushing for many 
years was that under the care and patronage of 
the •' Flushing Female Association." This useful 
society was organized Feb. 2d, 1814. The school 
was opened in a dwelling which stood near the 
site of the present school-house, in Liberty street, 
April 6th, 1814, with nineteen scholars. It was 
at first taught gratuitously by members of the As- 
sociation in turn, two serving at a time. This 
plan was not long continued. In the report of 
July 1st, 1814, it is stated a teacher had been 
engaged at a salary of sixty dollars per annum, 
with two dollars a week for board ; the members 
visiting in turn, two a week. The first examina- 
tion occurred June 10th, 1815, " to the satisfac- 
tion of the audience, several being present from 
the city of New York, one of whom evinced his 
entire approbation by transmitting a donation of 
twenty dollars to the institution, and ten dollars 
to the teacher, for her becoming behaviour on the 



George Bancroft. 



128 

occasion." It was first supported by voluntary 
contributions; the scholars, both white and color- 
ed, being admitted free of charge, except a few 
whose parents were able and willing to pay. Oct. 
1st, 1829 the scholars were required to pay two 
cents a week. It has received assistance from the 
state. The prosperity of the school has varied, 
at times over one hundred have been in attend- 
ance. At times it has been closed altogether; 
once for twenty months. When the present Pub- 
lic School was opened this was closed, but was 
reopened the following year. Since April 1st, 
1855, it has been in charge of the trustees of the 
Public School, the association meanwhile retain- 
ing its special care and oversight. It is now ex- 
clusively for colored children. Its annual rent is 
about three hundred dollars, derived from the trus- 
tees of the Public School, fees of its members, 
and interest on the following bequests : — 

Thomas Tom, $250 

Thomas Lawrence, - - - - 100 
Matthew Franklin, - - - - c€150, *' the 
interest to be applied to the use of finding poor 
negro children books, and also toward paying 
their schooling, them that their parents did belong 
among the people called Quakers." 

Nathaniel Smith, ... - $500 
James Byrd, ------ 200 



129 

Charles and Scott Hicks furnished wood for the 
school, gratuitously, from its first year to 1825. 

The present school-building was erected in 
1819, at a cost of $SU 73. 

In 1844 the school, of which we have just given 
an account, was considered unequal to the neces- 
sities of the place. The public funds were there- 
fore taken from it, and another school established 
in a new school-house. But the attempt was a 
failure. '- Parents would not send their children 
to this school, nor did they feel able to pay for 
their education at any of the private schools." 
Another effort was made. Several public meet- 
ings were held. Much discussion ensued. Dec. 
26th, 1847, at a public meeting it was resolved, 
by a vote of thirty-seven to five, to raise three thou- 
sand dollars by tax, and to authorize the trustees 
to sell the old building, to contract for a new one 
on the plan of the New York public schools, and 
to report a suitable site. Jan. 4th, 1848 a second 
meeting was held. The question upon changing 
the site was proposed and lost. This in reality 
reversed the action of the preceding meeting. 
Feb. 4th another meeting was held, nearly all the 
legal voters of the district being present. This, 
by a vote of ninety-nine to fifty eight, sustained 
the action of the first meeticg. The Legislature 

was petitioned, and an act was passed authorizing 
12 



130 

*' the Board to raise six thousand and five hundred 
dollars by tax or mortgage for the erection of a 
building, and limiting the annual assessment to 
one-fifth of one per cent, on all the taxable property 
in the District." March 29th this act was approv- 
ed by a vote of one hundred and forty to eighty-sev- 
en. June 13th a plan and estimate for building was 
presented and adopted, and at a subsequent meet- 
ing the present site on Union street was ordered 
to be purchased. July 18th ground was broken. 
Nov. 27th, 1848, the school was opened with seven 
teachers and three hundred and thirty-one schol- 
ars. Previous to this time in all the schools of 
the village there were in attendance only two hun- 
dred and thirteen children. It has been in suc- 
cessful operation to the present time. An Even- 
ing School was startedin the winter of 1859. It 
numbered fifty-one scholars. 

Board of Education.— E^. E. Mitchell, S. B. 
Parsons, George C. Baker, C. H. Hamilton and 
C. W. Cox. Number of teachers, nine. Num- 
ber of pupils, three hundred and sixty-seven. 

St, MichaeVs Catholic ScJiool — The following 
statement of this school was furnished by the pres- 
ent Pastor, Hev. James O'Bierne :— Was organized 
Aug. 1st, 1853, under the patronage of Rev. John 
McMahon, then Pastor. For some time previous 
the Catholics of Flushing were beginning to tire 



131 

of the Public School for which they were heavily 
taxed, and in which, of course, it was impossible 
their children could receive any religious instruc- 
tion. The Sunday School, too, was found to be 
entirely insufficient " for that purpose. The pa- 
rents were in many cases unable, and in most ca- 
ses unwilling to instruct their children at home ; 
and thus it was, that the children were growing 
up, not only ignorant of the mysteries and tenets 
of their own Faith, but indifferent to every form 
of religious belief. Such was pretty much the 
state of the Catholic mind in Flushing, when an 
incident occurred, trifling in itself, but which led 
to a total rupture with the Public School. One 
of the Catholic children when saying her night 
prayers aloud for her mother, added to the Lord's 
prayer, " For thine is the kingdom, &c. &c " 
which is not found in the Catholic Bible. The 
mother became alarmed, and reported the mat- 
ter to the Rev. John McMahon, who wrote to 
one of the Public School trustees, requesting that 
the Catholic children might not be required to be 
present at the reading of the Protestant bible. 
This request, it was stated, could not be granted. 
Immediately a meeting of the Catholics was held, 
and it was unanimously resolved to build a school- 
house as soon as possible. In the course of a few 
weeks funds were raised, and the present school- 



132 

house was built. The average attandauce is about 
three hundred children. The school is entirely 
a free school. There are three teachers whose 
salary amounts to about nine hundred dollars per 
year. Besides the usual branches taught in the 
school, the children receive religious instruction 
every day ; many of them also receive lessons in vo- 
cal and instrumental music on two days of the week. 
At first it was supposed, even by some Catholics, 
that the school would prove a failure, and that the 
children would again return to the Public School, 
but the supposition proved to be groundless. The 
school is at present in a most prosperous condition. 

In 1857 a Public School was established in 
Whitestone. Though strongly opposed in its com- 
mencement, it is now firmly established and pros- 
perous. It employs four female teachers. The 
average number of scholars in attendance is one 
hundred and seventy. The alteration and en- 
largement of the building cost fifteen hundred 
dollars. The night school has forty pupils. J. 
D. Locke, Esq., with characteristic liberality, 
pays one dollar for each pupil from his factory. 
Not a little credit is due to those who originated 
and established this enterprise ; Messrs. Samuel 
L. Shotwell (teacher,) A. H. Kissam, T. H. Leg- 
gett, C. H. Miller, J. Fowler, H. Lowerree, &c. 

College Point Public School. — This was organi- 



133 

zed in 1859, and employs three male and female 
teachers, and has an average attendance of one 
hundred and fifty scholars. The first night school 
established in this, town was in connection with 
this school. 

Of schools in other parts of the town we have 
not been able to gather statistics. 

Nurseries.— The first nursery, called " the Lin- 
n^ean Botanic Garden," was commenced by Wm. 
Prince, about 1737. This garden had two entran- 
ces, one in front of his residence, which was 
the long one and a-half story, round shingled 
house in Lawrence street, the other on the south 
side of Bridge street, about where E. Krieg's fur- 
niture store now stands. At the time the Revolu- 
tion broke out his business was so extensive that 
three thousand cherry trees, for which there was 
then no sale, were cut down and sold for hoop-poles. 
When the British troops entered Flushing Gen. 
Howe stationed a guard of troops at both gates to 
protect the property from depredation ; and this was 
continued as long as their services were required. 
We find also the following advertisement :— 

*' Dec. 10th, 1798, For Sale 10,000 Lombardy 
poplars from 10 to 17 feet in height by Wm. 
Prince, L. I." 

The Messrs. Prince from 1819 to 1835 "formed 

and continued an experimental vineyard," as W. 
12* 



184 

R. Prince writes me, *' comprising four hundred 
varieties of foreign vineyard grapes, obtained from 
the Government Nursery of the Luxembourg at 
Paris ; and they collected from every part of our 
country all the native varieties possible." 

Wm. Prince was also engaged in the '* silk cul- 
ture." His cocoonery, (the building is still so 
called) was situated in the rear of Peck & Fair- 
weather's store, and " yielded large quantities of 
cocoons, and he planned a filature which was 
highly successful." He had gloves and stockings 
woven from his own silk at the manufactory in 
Philadelphia. 

The Garden and Nursery is still conducted by 
Wm. R. Prince & Co. — the grounds comprising 
" one hundred and thirteen acres, of which sixty 
are within the corporate limits of the village." 

Bloodgood Nursery — Was established by James 
Bloodgood, in the year 1798. The hands employ- 
ed vary from twelve to thirty, not as many 
being employed in winter and mid-summer as in 
the spring and early summer and autumn. 

The proprietors at this time are Joseph Harris 
King and George B. and Horace Ripley, under 
the firm of King & Ripley. 

Commercial Garden and Nursery of Par- 
sons & Co. was commenced in 1838. It com- 
prises about ninety-five acres, and at certain sea- 



135 

sons employs over sixty men. Its green-houses, 
graperies, and entire arrangements are very com- 
plete, and well worthy of a visit from every con- 
noisseur in horticultural pursuits. Part of the 
grounds on which this nursery is located has been 
in that family for five generations. 

Higgins' Nursery — Daniel Higgins proprietor, 
was established in 1836. It covers forty acres 
and employs from ten to fifty hands. 

Kimher's Nursery — George D. Kimber proprie- 
tor, was commenced in the Fall of 1853 ; covers 
ten acres ; employs from three to twelve men, and 
is devoted chiefly to the leading varieties of fruit 
and ornamental trees, shrubs, vines, etc. 

Sillitnan^s Nursery — Is located at Bay Side, and 
covers about six acres. Proprietor, Justice A. G. 
Silliman. 

Seed Business. — Formerly the Shakers posses- 
sed an almost entire monopoly of this business. 
Garret E. Garretson was the first to break into 
this exclusiveness. About sixteen years ago he 
sent out as an experiment fifty boxes of seeds. 
He now cultivates about fifty acres, and sends 
out over three thousand boxes annually. His 
business extends over our whole country. 

News-papers. — The first paper printed in Flush- 
ing was called " the Repository," a royal octavo, 



136 

edited by the students of St. Thomas' Hall. It 
was commenced in the winter of 1840 and contin- 
ued about a year and a half. Cotemporaneous 
with this was "the Church Record," edited by 
Dr. Hawks ; Charles R. Lincoln, Publisher and 
Printer. It was an Episcopal paper, a quarto, 
handsomely printed, issued with a cover, and lived 
about two years. 

Flushing Journal, — Charles R. Lincoln, Editor 
and Proprietor. The first number was issued as 
a specimen sheet in October, 1842. Its regular 
publication was commenced in March, 1843. It 
still continues its prosperous course. It has 
always been the unflinching advocate of improve- 
ment and progress in village matters, giving fear- 
less expression to the views of its editor. 

The Public Voice — Was commenced in 1853, 
and continued about a year and a half. G. W. 
Ralph Editor and Proprietor. 

The Long Island Ti?nes—'WaiS established Feb- 
ruary, 1855. Walter R. Burling, Editor and 
Proprietor. It still continues its onward way — 
having the " largest circulation of any paper on 
the Island outside of the city of Brooklyn." 

Sanford Hall — Is located on Jamaica Avenue, 
near the northern limit of the village. The build- 
ings were erected in 1836, by Hon. Nathan San- 
ford, (generally known as Chancellor Sanford) at 



137 

an expense of nearly $130,000. Mr. Sanford 
intended the place for his private residence, 
but died shortly after its completion, and the 
house stood for several years vacant. In the fall 
of 1844, Dr. James Macdonald and his brother 
Gen. Allan Macdonald purchased the property. 
At that time Dr. Macdonald and his brother were 
the proprietors of a private institution for the treat- 
ment of nervous diseases, located on Murray Hill, 
in the city of New York. 

In May 1845 they removed their patients to 
Sanford Hall, which was then opened as a private 
asylum. 

In May 1849, Dr. Macdonald* died, and the 
establishment has since been conducted by Gen. 



* The professional eminence of Dr. Macdonald, his enthusiastic 
benevolence, and the exalted purity of his private character, entitle 
him to a more extended notice than a mere historical mention. He 
was born in Westchester County, New York, in 1803. He was the 
youngest son of Dr. Archibald Macdonald, a native of Scotland, who 
came to this country in his childhood, and served as Surgeon in the 
British Army during the Revolution. In 1824 James graduated from 
the College of Physicians and Surgeons, ia the City of New York. 
Haviug determined to devote himself to the practice of mental disease 
as a specialty, he appHed for aud obtained the office of Jlesiden t Phy- 
sician of Bloomingdale Asylum. In 1831, having resigned this office, 
he was commissioned by the Governors of the New-York Hospital, to 
visit the European Asylums, and report improvements, with a view to 
their introduction at Bloomingdale. He spent sixteen mouths iu 
visiting the various Institutions of England, France, Germany and 
Italy. On bis return he was invited to take charge of Bloomingdale 



138 

A. Macdoiiald and the widow of his late brother 
employing the services of a Resident and Consult- 
ing Physician. 

This institution enjoys a most enviable reputa- 
tion both at home and abroad. Patients are sent 
hither from all parts of the Union, and also from 
the West Indies. Average number under treat- 
ment in 1860, forty-eight. 

Resident Physician from 1849 to 1854, Dr. 
Henry W. Buel, now proprietor of Spring Hill 
Private Asylum, Litchfield, Connecticut. From 
1 854 to present time, Dr. J. W. Barstow. 

Consulting Physician, Benjamin Ogden M. D. 
New York City. 



Asylum aa Resident Physician and Superintendant. Here he remained 
until 1837. In 1839, he made a second visit to Europe. lu 1841 he 
opened, in connection with his brother, the Asylum on Murray Hill. 
In 1845, as above stated, the institution was removed to Flushing, On 
Way 5th 1849 in the prime of his mature manhood, and in the height 
of his usefulness, Dr. Macdon aid, by a most mysterious Providence, 
after three days illness, was removed by death ; leaving a widow and 
six children. His disease was pleuro-pneumonia. His funeral took 
place on May 8th from St. George's Church, of which he had been a 
vestryman. The shops in the village were closed, and it was a day of 
sincere and general mourning. Rev. Dr. Ogilbie of New York, preached 
the funeral sermon from the words " mark the perfect man, and 
behold the upright ; for the end of that man is peace." Thus passed 
away from earth, one of God's noblest men, beloved in life and 
lamented in death by all who knew him. 



/e^ /^-.vi-.'^^ 



3 



I i 



(1 ^^ •^•^ 



^ v^' 






^_c^i-M' 




339 



CHAPTER IX. 

RELIGIOUS DENOMIXATIONS-SABBATH SCHOOLS, &c. 

What ecclesiastical relations the early settlers 
of the town sustained is not certainly known. 
They were, however, in all probability, Indepen- 
dents, not connected with the Church of England. 
For most of the early English emigrants were ; 
and their first preacher, Mr. Doughty, with his 
views of the ordinance of baptism, would hardly 
have been retained within the bosom of the es- 
tablished church. 

Society of Friends. — In what year this was or- 
ganized cannot be ascertained with certainty; but 
it was probably between 1665 and 1669. Previous 
to the building of the Bowne house, in 1661, we 
have statements of meetings held in the woods. 
After its erection they worshipped in it for nearly 
forty years. The tenets of George Fox were 
adopted by very many, and Flushing was for ma- 
ny years a strong hold of this society. Its first 
Yearly Meetings in this country were held here. 
In the early part of the last century its members 
were so numerous and able that they could pro- 
vide, not only for their own necessities, but also 



140 

for their less favored brethren. In New York 
city the Friends were so few and feeble that they 
were unable to furnish themselves with a meeting- 
house, accordingly the Flushing Friends framed 
one here, shipped it to New York in a sloop, and 
had it erected in Green street, a small street ex- 
tending from Maiden Lane to Liberty street, on 
the site where subsequently was Grant Thorburn's 
seed store. 

The following interesting article appeared in 
the New York Observer in connection with this 
subject. The building sent from Flushing was 
taken down about the time of the Revolution, and 
a school-house erected on the site. The Friends 
owned one hundred feet on Liberty street, and on 
this was erected a substantial brick building to 
which reference is had : — 

" THE friends' meeting-house." 

''Mr. Printer: — In the Observer of 20th April 
last, I remarked, that during the last sixty-four 
years, in all my doubts, trials, and straits, — not 
knowing whither to return, to the right hand or to 
the left, on doing as directed in Proverbs iii. 6, 
I soon found written on the guide posts, " This is 
the way ; walk ye in it." The following is a case 
in point: — 

In 1824, the Friends' Meeting-house and burying 
ground stood on the corner of Little Green and 



141 

Liberty streets, fronting on Liberty street nearly 
one hundred feet, filling all the space to the rear 
of the lots fronting on Broadway, and to the rear 
of the lots fronting on Maiden Lane. All the fami- 
lies, with one exception, had removed to the upper 
part of the city, where several new meeting-houses 
were erected, and this one in Liberty street had 
been shut up nearly two years. The society re- 
solved to sell the premises at private sale. Before 
the matter became public, I waited on certain of 
the Friends and was kindly received. I told them 
I would not remove a stone from the building, nor 
a shovel full of earth from the ground, — that I 
would make a seed store in the building, and gar- 
nish the sepulchre of their fathers with the roses 
of Sharon and the lily of the valley. 

They had not yet fixed on the price. Many of 
the members were loath to see the meeting-house 
demolished, but when they heard of my proposi- 
tion, and the use I intended, they gave a willing 
consent, Sept. 25, 1824. 

I now sat down to consider the aspect of Provi- 
dence in the matter. Psalms 107, verse 43. 1st. 
Being a private sale, and a fixed price, there was 
no competition; had it been a public sale it would 
have gone beyond my reach. 2d. From the first 
conversation on the subject with one of the com- 
mittee, and on every occasion when I called in fur- 
13 



142 

therance of my object, I found my man at home, 
and did the business I intended to my satisfaction. 
I therefore looked on it as a step which the Lord 
would bless. On the 27th of September I met one 
of the committee in Wall street, who said they had 
concluded to sell, price twenty-five thousand dol- 
lars; immediate possession to be given of the 
meeting-house; the money to be paid on the 1st 
of May ensuing, when the deed would be given 
with full possession. Here was another bright 
spot in my path, which was growing brighter every 
day. I had all winter to fix the meeting-house for 
the spring business, and seven months to gather 
the money. 

Isaac Wright called next morning, and asked me 
to meet the committee in his office at 2 P. M., stat- 
ing the terms as above. 

Hitherto I had kept the matter in my heart : 
now I consulted my friends. Every one of them 
said the price was double its worth, and I would 
be ruined for certain. We dined at half past 
twelve. I laid the matter before my family — three 
of my children were of age. My wife and all of 
them said I would be ruined. I stated my reasons 
for believing that it was a field which the Lord 
would bless. They could not see as I did. 

I was in the office ten minutes before two. The 
members of the committee were all there before 



143 

me. " Friend Grant," said Isaac, " if we sell thee 
the premises, will thee be able to fulfil the contract 
on the 1st of May V Says I, " if alive and well, 
to-morrow I'll pay. you one thousand dollars, and 
take a receipt part payment. If I don't fulfil my 
contract on the 1st of May, the $1,000 will be the 
forfeit." "All fair!" was the response. I paid 
the $1,000 next day, which clinched the bargain. 

Next day the whole city was moved. Grant had 
bought the meeting-house for $25,000, — double 
what it was worth,— contrary to the advice of his 
friends and family ; he was a stiff-necked Scottish 
copperhead, and would be ruined to all intents and 
purposes. 

In two days I was offered Ten, and before a 
month expired I was offered Twentij Thousand 
Dollars for my bargain. 

I was now dubbed a canny Scotsman, who could 
see as far through a brick-bat as any hair-splitter 
or note-shaver in Wall street. 

In 1834 I sold the premises for one hundred and 

five thousand dollars. 

Grant Thorburn, Sen. 

New Haven, June dth^ 1S58." 

In 1827 occurred the separation of the So- 
ciety, — the two branches being subsequently known 
as the Orthodox and Hicksite Friends. The lat- 
ter retained .possession of the old building- The 



144 

Orthodox shortly after occupied another house of 
worship just east of the old one, which in 1854 
gave place to the neat building in which they now 
worship. 

We give copies of a couple of papers from the 
Bowne collection, connected with the early his- 
tory of the Friends, evidencing their watchful 
care over their members and their regard for 
church government. They may be interesting to 
those unaccustomed to read communications of 
this nature in those early times : — 
" From our Monthly Meeting of Women Friends 

at Fhiladelphiay 2^th Stli mo. 1708, 
To the Monthly Meeting of Women Friends at 

Flushings L. I. — Greeting: 
Dear'Friends, — 

To you is the Salutation of Love in our Lord 
Jesus Christ desiring your prosperity and Wel- 
fare in the unchangeable Truth. And these may 
allso further certify you that Request was made 
to this meeting in the Behalfe of our friend Mary 
Guest for a Certificate and according to the Good 
order established amongst us due Inquiry hath 
been made and we doe not find but that She hath 
been of a Sober and Honest Conversation and 
that she may witness a Growth and Prosperity in 
the truth of which she hath made profession is 
the desire of our Souls so Committing her to your 



145 

Care we remain your friends and sisters in the near 
relation and fellowship of the Gospel of Peace. 
Signed in the behalfe of our said Meeting by 

Sakah Goodson" and others. 
" From Our Yearly Meeting held at PJiiladelphia 
for Pennsylvania and New Jersey foom the 20th 
to the 24:th day of Seventh month inclusive 1735, 
To the next Yearly Meeting to be held in Flush- 
ing on Long Island. 
Dearly Beloved Friends,— 

In the fellowship of the Gospel of our Christ 
our Head and High Priest we tenderly Salute 
you, desiring that you and wee and his Gathered 
Churches as well as particular Members every 
where may walk worthy of the Manifold and Re- 
peated blessings which he mercifully vouchsafes 
unto his people, amongst which the visitation and 
attendance of his Living Presence in our assem- 
blys Calls for our Particular and grateful acknow- 
legement, as well as a Suitable Circumspection in 
Conversation and Zeal for the promotion of His 
Glorious Truth in the Earth to the Honour of his 
Great and worthy name. Such a Perseverance 
would infallibly draw down and continue the Di- 
vine and Heavenly Blessing upon the Churches. 
And now dear Friends wee hereby acquaint you 
that this our Anniversary Meeting was large and 

Comfurtable wherein many living Testimonys 
13* 



146 

were born and our Lord according to His Promise 
to those that should meet in his name was with 
us to the great encouragement and consolation of 
the faithfull, begetting in them fresh resolutions 
to go in the way that is cast up for the Ransom- 
ed to walk in, and such will be as Lights in the 
world and Good Examples to the youth or others 
who take undue Liberty's and we know that Ex- 
ample goes before Precept. By the accounts from 
our several Quarterly Meetings it appears that 
Love and unity is generally maintained amongst 
Friends and the Discipline in a good Degree put 
into practice ; the affairs of the Church were 
transacted in Peace and Oondecsension according 
to the Apostles Advice. Wee received your Last 
yearly meeting Epistle and were glad to under- 
stand you had a comfortable meeting and now wee 
conclude remaining your friends and Brethren in 
the unity and Fellowship of a blessed Truth. 

Signed by order and on behalf of our said meet- 
ing by John Kimley, Clerk.^' 

Of the preachers we can of course give no con- 
nected history. They left no record of Seminary 
Diplomas ; of ordination by laying on of hands, 
either by Bishop or Presbytery; of call, settle- 
ment and departure. Their commission to pro- 
claim the Gospel of Truth, they claimed, was ob- 
tained immediately from the great Bishop and 



147 

Head, without the human intervention of eccle- 
siastical courts. Their qualifications for their 
work were imparted by the Inspiring Spirit, with- 
out the help of theological institutions. How 
much truth their claims express it is not our pro- 
vince here to discuss. 

We give a condensed narrative of an interest- 
ing series of events in the history of one of their 
preachers, Samuel Bownas. He was an English- 
man by birth; a man of considerable note and 
preaching power, travelling from place to place, 
making religious visits to Friends in this country . 
He landed in Maryland " about the 29th of Fifth 
month, 1792." Here he met George Keith, of 
whom a more full account will shortly be given, 
who challanged him to a public dispute in tTlie 
following letter : — 

'* To the Preacher lately arrived from England, 
Sir,— 

I intend to give Notice after Sermon, that 
you and myself are to dispute To-morrow, and 
would have you give Notice thereof accordingly. 
Sir, I am your humble Servant, 

George Keith. 

Dated the \st Sunday in August, 1702." 
To this the following reply was sent : — 
** George Keith, — 

I Have received thine, and think myself no way 



148 

obliged to take any Notice of one that hatli been 
so very mutable in his Pretences to Religion ; be- 
sides, as thou hast long since been disowned, after 
due Admonition given thee by our Yearly-Meeting 
in London, for thy quarrelsome and irregular Prac- 
tices, thou art not worthy of my Notice, being no 
more to me than a Heathen Man and a Publican ; 

is the needful from 

Samuel Bownas." 
Dated same day. 

He prosecuted his journey until he reached Long- 
Island. Gr. Keith followed and appointed meet- 
ings in the same places with himself, and was con- 
sidered the chief instigator of the persecution to 
which he was subjected. On the 29th of Nov. 
1702, he was present at half-yearly meeting at 
Flushing, which was very largely attended. 
" When the Meeting was fully set," he says, " the 
High-Sheriff came with a very large Company 
with him, who were all armed ; some had Guns, 
others Pitchforks, others Swords, Clubs, Halberts, 
&c., as if they should meet with great opposition 
in taking a poor silly harmless Sheep out of the 
Flock." Stepping up to him the Sheriff took him 
by the hand, saying, "You are my Prisoner." "By 
what authority V* He showed his warrant to ar- 
rest Samuel Bowne. " That is not my name. 
That Friend's name is so." ''We know him; 



149 

that's not the man, but you are the man : pray 
then, what's your name?" " That is a question 
that requires consideration, whether proper to an- 
swer or not." At length the ofiScer and his reti- 
nue were invited to remain till the services were 
ended ; which they did, depositing their arms out- 
side the building. Bownas, *' finding the Word 
like as a fire," preached with more than his usual 
power. After meeting an arrangement was made 
with the Sherifi", by which he remained from Sat- 
urday until the next Thursday. On Wednesday 
there was a funeral of an influential Quaker, which 
was attended by nearly two thousand people. He 
then went.to Hempstead. The court required him 
to give bail in two thousand pounds, — himself in 
one thousand pounds, and two Friends in five 
hundred pounds each. This he refused, saying, 
" if as small a sum as three half fence would do, 
I should not do it." He was accordingly com- 
mitted to " the common goal." On the 2Sth of 
Dec. court met; his case was submitted to the 
Grand Jury, who returned the bill ** indorsed 
ignoramus." The presiding Judge was exceed- 
ingly angry, and uttered severe threats against 
the Jury ; to which he was appropriately answer- 
ed by James Clement, one of their number. At 
length they again retired to deliberate and the 
next day returned the same answer. Upon which 



150 

they were dismissed, and the prisoner remanded 
into custody. He was refused a copy of the in- 
dictment against him. He was by trade a black- 
smith, but this he could not pursue within his 
prison-bars. Preferring to earn his support, to re- 
ceiving it from the liberality of Friends, he learn- 
ed the trade of a shoemaker, through the kind- 
ness of one Charles Williams, a Scotch church- 
man, who pursued that business near by. He 
soon became so skilful that he could earn fifteen 
shillings a week. During his imprisonment he was 
visited by an Indian King and three Chiefs, with 
whom he held a long conversation. At length, 
Sept. 2d, 1703, court again assembled, and his 
case was presented to another Grand Jury, who 
in a short time returned the papers endorsed " ig- 
noramus ;" " which gave some of the Lawyers 
cause to say, in a jocular way, they were got into 
an Ignoramus Country y On the next day he was 
set at liberty by proclamation, " and a large Body 
of dear Friends had me with them in a kind of 
Triumph." He had been in jail over eleven 
months. Henceforth he gave up shoemaking and 
resumed his old business of preaching, visiting 
the Island and other portions of the country, and 
reached England in October, 1706. 

Protesant Episcopal Church. — Rev. George 
Keith, of whom previous mention has been made 



151 

was horn at. Aberdeen, Scotland. He was not of 
Quaker ])arentage. In what year he joined the so- 
ciety of Friends is not known. He was a man of 
learning. His talents were of a high order. His 
mind was acute and logical. His temper was fear- 
less and unyielding. Hence, what he undertook he 
prosecuted with unflagging zeal ; his feelings often 
carrying him far beyond the limits of christian 
courtesy and charity. He first appeared in this 
country in East Jersey, in 1682. He was then a 
Quaker, and held the office of Surveyor General. 
In 1689 he removed to Philadelphia as tutor to 
the children of some wealthy families, ** at the 
same time exercising his preaching faculty." In 
1691 he began to dispute with the Quakers, and 
finally separated from them after being a preacher 
among them twenty-eight years. In 1694 he went 
to England and was admitted to orders in the es- 
tablished Church. In April, 1702, he sailed for 
America. In August, 1704, he again arrived in 
England and became Rector of Edburton, in Sus- 
sex, where he died. 

It was while on his visit to America that he visit- 
ed Flushing. He came as a missionary, appoint- 
ed by '" the Society for the propagation of the 
Gospel in Foreign Parts." He first attempted 
to deliver his message in Flushing, to Friends 
when assembled for their worship. But, because 



152 

of his apostacy from their society, his determined 
opposition to them, and his supposed, if not known 
instigation of persecution against their preacher, 
Bownas, he was met by a very decided resistance 
and was not allowed to deliver his message. 
On his first visit he was accompained by Rev. Mr. 
Vesey of New York, Rev. John Talbot, and sev- 
eral Episcopal gentlemen from Jamaica. He 
says, " After some time of silence I began to 
speak, standing up in the gallery where their 
speakers use to stand when they speak; but I 
was so much interrupted by the Clamour and 
Noise, that several of the Quakers made, forbid- 
ding me to speak, that I could not proceed." Then 
a Friend followed with an address " about an 
hour.*' Then ensued a discussion in which he 
was charged with defrauding the poor of fifty 
pounds, which he denied with indignation. " Dec. 
3d, 1702. I visited again the Quaker meeting at 
Flushing, Long Island, having obtained a letter 
from Lord Oornbury, to two Justices of Peace 
to go along with me, to see that the Quakers 
should not interrupt me as they had formerly 
done. But' notwithstanding the two Justices that 
came along with me to signifie my Lord Corn- 
bury's Mind, by his Letter to them, which was read 
to them in their Meeting by Mr. Talbot, they used 
the like iaterruption as formerly, and took no no- 



153 

tice of my Lord Cornbury's Letter, more than if 
it had been from any private person." But his 
efforts were unsuccessful. He was in all proba- 
bility the first Episcopal minister who attempted 
to perform the service of that church in Flush- 
ing. In what year the present church was or- 
ganized cannot be determined. In a report by 
Rev. Mr. Vesey, to the Society at home, dated 
Oct 5th, 1704, he says, at " Flushing there is no 
Church." It " is inhabited by Quakers." Eev. 
Mr. Urquhart of Jamaica " Preaches on the third 
Sunday, and prays twice at Newtown and Flush- 
ing once a month on the week days, and by the 
blessing of God, the Congregations in the respec- 
tive towns daily increase." 

C. Congreve in a report to the society, in 1704, 
says, "Flushing is another Town in the same 
County, most of the inhabitants thereof are Qua- 
kers, who rove through the Country from one vil- 
lage to another, talk Blasphemy, Corrupt the 
Youth, and do much mischief" 

Rev. James Honyman, in a letter to the society, 
of April 15th, 1704, says, "Newtown and Flush- 
ing famous for being stocked with Quakers, whither 
I intend to go upon their meeting-days on pur- 
pose to preach Lectures against their errors." 
Whether he carried his charitable "purpose" into 
14 



154 

execution is not known, as he continued at Ja- 
maica but a short time. 

In 1705, Rev. W. Urquhart was settled at Ja- 
maica, bestowing part of his time upon Flushin,^ 
and Newtown. Of him John Talbot writes, 
'* Mr. U. is well chosen for the people of Jamaica, 
and indeed I think none fitter than the Scotch 
Episcopal to deal with Whigs and Fanaticks of 
all sorts," 

July 18th, 1710, Rev. Thomas Poyer was in- 
ducted into the church at Jamaica. When he 
arrived the dissenters had possession of the church 
and parsonage. The latter they retained, but the 
former Mr. Poyer soon preached in again. A brief 
account of the works of this early laborer in this 
field may properly be inserted in this place. He 
entered the service of the society, September 29th, 
1709. He embarked for America October 31st, 
but owing to various delays the ship did not sail 
until April 10th following. Meanwhile his wife 
had been twice delayed by sickness, and it was 
necessary to take her ashore to secure the ser- 
vices of a Physician. Their voyage lasted from 
April lOth to July 7th. On that day they were 
shipwrecked on Long Island, about one hundred 
miles from Jamaica, to which place he was ap- 
pointed. His parish, he writes, " is fifteen miles 
long and six and a half broad," and his salary 



155 

thirty-nine pounds sterling. This was paid to the 
Presbyterian minister. Tedious and expensive 
law-suits resulted. His bauds were filled with 
work and bis heart with sorrows. He was re- 
duced to circumstances of extreme necessity. 
He writes to the society that " their poor mis- 
sionary is laboring under many difficulties, and re- 
duced to the want of a great many necessaries; 
two Gowns and Cassocks I have already worn out 
in their service, a third is worn very bare and my 
family wants are so many and pressing that I 
know not how I shall procure another." Upon this 
the society presented him with a gown and cas- 
sock and ten pounds " in money or goods as he 
preferred." Again he writes, *■ now to do this 
and to visit my people which I am often obliged 
to who live distant from me many of them about 
twelve miles I am necessitated to keep two horses 
which is very expensive and troublesome to me 
and consumes me more Clothes in one year than 
would serve another who is not obliged to ride 
for three or four. In Newtown and Flushing for 
want of the convenience of private houses I am 
forced to make use of Public ones which is a 
very great charge to me for I bring some of my 
family generally with me. If I did not they would 
be one-half of the year without opportunities of 
Public Worship." Again> " Our poor Church 



156 

has been in great distress ever since I came here, 
and myself, the unworthy Minister of it threaten- 
ed to be starved and denied victuals for my money, 
and my corn sent me home from the Mill with 
this message from the Miller, *I might eat it 
whole as the hogs do, he would not grind for me' " 
— that the people threatened if the Constables 
attempted to collect the assessment for the Sa- 
lary, "they will scald them ; they will stone them ; 
they will go to Club-law with them, and I know 
not what." Again, after stating his arrearages 
in salary : " & a great deal of sickness I had my- 
self & and in my family all of us being seldom 
in health at the name time, I have buried two 
wives & two children in less than five years and 
am now eleven in family the eldest of my family 
being little more than 16 years of age, there is 
the expense of every other Sunday when I go to 
Newtown & Flushing to be borne for myself and 
those of the children I take with me, then all 
other necessaries to be bought, <£16 to be paid 
yearly for house rent & all this to come out of 
my stipend, no one of them (his children) be- 
ing able to get & indeed too young to know how 
to save what is gotten ; this my Lord is too groat 
burthen upon me." Finally the church itself by 
suit at law is taken from them, and he writes, 
** tho' I have endeavoured as patiently as I could 



157 

to bear up under all these trials besides the loss of 
two wives & several children yet the infirmities 
of old age bear very hard upon me insomuch that 
I feel myself almost unable to officiate at the three 
churches of Jamaica, Newtown and Flushing as 
I have hitherto done and which is absolutely ne- 
cessary for the Minister of the Parish to do." 
He then requests permission to leave his mission 
and return to England. Against this a Rev. Mr. 
Campbell protests, in a letter to the Society, in 
which he says, Mr. Poyer " is a grandson of Coll. 
Poyer who died in the gallant defence of Pem- 
broke Castle in the time of Oliver Cromwell ; 
that he is a good natured honest man and is bene- 
ficent to his neighbors," and that his recall "would 
infallibly ruin the poor Gentleman and his nu- 
merous family." 

At length it pleased the Great Master to call 
his tried and afllicted servant to his rest and re- 
ward. He died January 15th, 1731, (0. S ) 

Eev. Mr. Thomas, of Hempstead, in writing to 
the Society of the troubles in Jamaica, concludes 
with the following flourish :— " All the rest of the 
Missionaries are settled in peace, and if these 
people are nipped in the bud and Mr. Poyer re- 
stored to his right, I presume they will scarce 
offer to flutter again as long as there is a crowned 
head that sways the Sceptre of Great Britain." 



158 

Rev. Thomas Oolgan succeeded. In 1735 he 
writes, " Several of the Quakers of Flushing do 
as often as it is my turn to officiate there attend 
upon Divine Service. This it is that opens a 
clear prospectus for the conversion of many souls 
which God in his own time will make to the true 
Church of Christ." Sept. 29th, 1744, ** The 
several Churches belonging to my cure (Jamaica, 
Newtown and Flushing) are in a very peaceable 
and growing state." Sept. 29th, 1746, ", In my 
letter of the 26th March last I gave information 
to the Society of our being in a very likely way of 
having a Church erected in the town of Flushing." 
Previous to this they had worshipped in the Old 
Guard House. He then requests the Society to 
" bestow upon it a Bible & Common Prayer Book 
according to their usual bounty for certainly there 
can be no set of People within this Province who 
are greater objects of the Society's pity and cha- 
rity than those belonging to the town of Flushing 
of which I have been so truly Sensible that it has 
brought me (if I may be permitted thus to ex- 
press it) to double my diligence in that place 
where error & impiety greatly abound." From 
this it appears the first church edifice was erected 
in 1746. It was a small building with a spire. 
The ground was donated by Capt. Hugh Went- 



159 

worth, who had his country seat on what is now 
known as the Redwood property. It stood just 
north of the present building in the same yard. 
The expense of the spire was defrayed by Messrs. 
John Aspinwall and Thomas Grennall. Mr. As- 
pinwall also presented the church with " a very 
fine bell of about five hundred weight." This 
same bell rang its notes for nearly a century when 
its materials were recast and incorporated in the 
present one. The old chancel rail, the old Bible 
given by the society, and the prayer books used 
in the church, the oldest bearing date 1746, are 
now in possession of the Rector. The number of 
communicants at that time was about twenty. 
So that the church must have been organized 
some time previously, but when or by whom there 
is no record. 

March 28th, 1749, Oolgan writes :— " I have 
great hopes that our Church at Flushing will in 
a little time gain ground among the Quakers who 
are very numerous there, and it is somewhat re- 
markable and may be thought worty of notice, 
that a man who had for many years strictly ad- 
hered to the principles of Quakerism, when that 
new church was opened and a collection made 
he gave money for the use of that church, but 
thinking he had not put enough in the Plate, went 
immediately after service and gave more to the 



160 

Collector." A thousand pities he had not told 
his name, that such an example of liberality in 
sentiment and purse might have been perpetuated 
for the benefit of succeeding generations. 

Mr. Colgan died in 1753, and was succeeded in 
1757 by Rev. Samuel Seabury. Oct. 10th, 1759, 
he writes, " Flushing in the last generation the 
ground seat of Quakerism is in this the Seat of 
Infidelity." In 1761, a Mr. Tredwell, a gradu- 
ate of Yale College, acted as lay reader to the 
church. In this year also the charter of incorpo- 
ration, by the name and style of " St. George's 
Church," was granted by Lieut. Gov. Golden, In 
what year Seabury died we do not know. But 
after his death *' a handsome house'' was built 
and presented to his widow. 

Feb. 17th, 1770. Rev. Joshua Bloomer writes, 
"I preach at the three churches of Jamaica, 
Newtown and Flushing alternately, and generally 
to crowded assemblies, who behave during divine 
service with the utmost decency and decorum, the 
churches are neat, well finished buildings. But 
those of Newton and Flushing rather small for 
the Congregations." 

April 9th, 1777. On account of political trou- 
bles " my church was shut up for five Sundays 
when the King's troops landed whose success has 



161 

restored us to those religious principles of which 
we were deprived by tyranny and persecution " 

The church at Flushing was subsequently en- 
larged, but in what year is not known. 

For much of what follows we are indebted to 
Eev. J. C. Smith. 

1795. Much discussion existed between the 
vestry of Jamaica and those of Newtown and 
Flushing, relating to the arrangement of services. 
The unhappy controversy waxed warm, and the 
old chronicler pathetically observes, " the church 
wardens and vestry of Newtown and Flushing 
went off in a very abrupt manner and left the 
church wardens and vestry of Jamaica to them- 
selves." A separation was demanded, but did not 

then take place. 
1797, January 15th. Jamaica called a minister, 

but the other churches did not unite. 
1797, May 10th. Flushing called Hev. E. D. 
Eattoone, in which Jamaica united but New- 
town withdrew from the union. Rev. Mr, Rat- 
toone resided midway between Flushing and Ja- 
maica. He was to preach in Flushing every other 
sabbath in winter and every sabbath afternoon du- 
ring the remainder of the year. His salary per 
annum was the interest of nine hundred pounds, 
and one hundred pounds additional were pledged, 
if it could he raised ! He presented the present 



162 

corporate seal to the church, though by vote of 
the vestry he was subsequently reimbursed for it, 
and blank-books amounting to four pounds and 
four shillings. 

Oliver Bowne was sexton on a salary of six 
pounds per annum and the privilege of cutting 
the grass in the church yard. The clerk was al- 
lowed the same sum, but instead of grass extra 
was to receive an admonition for past irregular 

conduct. 
1800. There appears this very singular and 

anomolous statement in ecclesiastical history, 

" both churches experienced a want of funds." 
1802. As a consequence of this deficiency in the 

treasury Flushing and j'amaica again disa- 
greed. The former complained that the latter 
obtained subscriptions from her members and re- 
solved to withdraw if not discontinued. This 
threat weighed very seriously with the Jamaica 
brethren, who sagaciously resolved that "it would 
not be for the advantage of this church to support 
a clergyman separately," and determined to dis- 
countenance the solicitations. Meanwhile Mr. Rat- 
toone resigned and removed, and left the belliger- 
ents to fight their own battles. Flushing was not 
pacified with the pacific submission of Jamaica, 
and resolved to separate. Communications were 



163 

opened witli Newtown, and an agreement to unite 

was effected. 
1803, April 20th. Newtown and Flushing called 

Kev. Abm. L. Clark. 
1S09, October 3d. Mr. 0. confined his services to 

the former and the church at Flushing became 

vacant. 
1809, November 4th, Eev. Brazilla Buckley was 

called, sole Rector of St. George's Church, 

who remained until his death, March 9, 1820. 
1820, August 7th, Eev. J. V. E. Thorne was 

called, and it was " Resolved, that a new 
church be erected. " Thomas Philips, James Blood- 
good and Isaac Peck were appointed a building 
committee. It was consecrated to the service of 

God May 2.5th, 1S21. 
1826. Rev. W. A. Muhlenberg, D. D. was called. 
1829, Feb. 6th, Rev. W.H.Lewis, D.D. was called. 

1833, Sept. 3d, " J. M. Forbes was called. 

1834, •' 6th, " S. R. Johnson was called. 

1835, Oct. 20th, " R. B. Van Kleek was called. 

1837, Dec. 6th, •' Fred. Goodwin was called. 

1838. The church edifice was enlarged at a cost 
of seventeen hundred dollars, and twenty- 
six new pews added. 

1844, in March, Rev. George Burcher was called. 
He died in May, 1847, and in 



164 

1847, Nov. Eev. J. Carpenter Smith, the present 
Eector, entered upon his duties. 

1853, May 18th, the corner stone of the present 
edifice was laid with the customary ceremonies. 
The building was consecrated in June, 1854. In 
the meantime the old building was removed 
to its present site, and during 1858 was rejuve- 
nated, and is now used for a sunday school and 
lecture room. 

The new building cost, including fixtures, thir- 
ty-three thousand dollars. Isaac Peck, Allan 
Mac don aid and Wm. H. Schemerhorn were the 
building committee. 

Zion Church at Little Neck. This was erect- 
ed in 1830, by Alderman Wynaut Van Zandt. Its 
Rectors have been Eevd. Messrs. Eli Wheeler, 
Ralph Williston, Christian F. Cruse, and Henry 
M. Beane, the present incumbent, who was settled 
in May, 1842. 

Grace Church at Whitestone. This building 
was erected by Samuel Leggett, a member of the 
society of Friends, for the use of all religious de- 
nominations, with the hope of bringing about a 
reformation in the neighborhood. Services were 
conducted from time to time by Rectors of the 
Episcopal Church at Flushing. In 1 855 the build- 
ing was rented from the executors of Mr. Leggett, 



165 

and Eev. Wm. Short was called by the vestry of 
St, George's Church, and commenced regular ser- 
vice in July of that year. The connection with 
the old parish was dissolved September 6th, 1858, 
and Rev. Wm. Short was chosen Kector by the war- 
dens and vestrymen. The congregation contem- 
plate the erection of a new edifice, to be built of 
brick, in Gothic style, and to cost 6,000 dollars. 

The first officers were Ab'm B. Sands, John D, 
Locke, Wardens ; A, H. Kissam, Henry Lower- 
ree, Henry Smith, Peter F. Westervelt, Griffith 
Rowe, Charles H. Miller, Ab'm Binninger and 
John Barrow, Vestrymen. 

Protestant Methodist Episcopal Church. — The 
first Methodist church in the village was the Afri- 
can Macedonian church in Liberty street. It was 
organized in 1811. This edifice was rebuilt in 1837. 
Rev. Benjamin Griffin, a white preacher, in his 
circuit officiated for them. At that time there was 
not a single white family of Methodists in the 
place, so that this self-denying brother was accom- 
modated with food and lodghigs by his colored 
brethren. 

Eev Samuel Cockrance was the first Methodist 
minister that preached in Flushing to a white 
••-ongregation. His audience numbered about 
twelve persons. The meeting was held in a house 
adjoining Garretson's seed store, in Liberty street. 
15 



166 

His text was " fear not, little flock ; for it is your 

Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." 

They afterwards worshipped in two different pla- 
ces in Main street. In 

1822 they purchased lots in Washington street, 
and erected the building in which they wor- 
shipped until 

1843, when they entered into their present edifice 
in Main street. In 

1859 they repaired their building, erected a toweri 
purchased an organ, and made other improve- 
ments, at a cost of 3,500 dollars. 

1824, August 14th, Flushing Circuit was orga- 
nized. The following is the list of preachers 
in their church : — 

1824, Eevds. John Luckey and J. W.Le Fever, 



1825, 




Ivobert Seeny and Luman Andrews. 


1826, 




Richard Seaman and B. Creagh. 


1827, '* 




" *' and 0. V. Amerman. 


1828—9, 


Rev. Ira Ferris, 


1830 1, 




Joseph D. Marshall, 


1832—3, 




Charles F. Pelton, 


1834, 




Alexander Hulin, 


1 835, 




David Plumb, 


1836, 




John L. Gilder, 


1837—8, 




William Thatcher, 


1839, 




Daniel Wright, 


1840, 


(( 


George Brown, 



167 

]841, Eev. Elbert Osborn, 

1S42, " John J. Matthias, 

1843—4, '* Beujamin Griffin, 

1845—6, " David Osborn, 

1847, " John W. B. Wood, 

1848—9, " John B. Merwin, 

1850, " Samuel W. Law, 

1851, " Abra'm S. Francis, 
1852—3, " Ira Abbott, 
1854—5, " William F. Collins, 
1856—7, " Thomas H. Burch, 
1858, *' J. L. Peck, 

1860, " E. M. Hatfield, 

There is also a Methodist church in AVhitestone, 
which was organized March 28th, 1850. The edi" 
fice was erected the same year at a cost of twelve 
hundred dollars. In 1853 the basement was finish- 
ed, costing three hundred dollars. In 1852 Eev. 
A. Van Rensalear Abbott was appointed Pastor. 
In 1855 Rev. Richard Wake was appointed, and 
remained one year. For two years subsequently 
Rev. Mr. Fitch, then Principal of the Public School 
at Flushing, preached on Sabbath evenings, and 
Orange Judd had charge of the Sabbath school. 
In 1858 Rev. David Tuthill was appointed Pas- 
tor, lemaining nine months and then leaving as 
Missionary to Arizona. In 1859 Rev. D. A. 
Goodsell, the present Pastor, was appointed. 



16S 

Protestant Reforined Dutch Church. — Hey. 
William E. Gordon commenced to preach here 
while still settled at Manhasset as Pastor. The 
meetings were first held in a hajl in Bridge street ; 
afterwards in a school house in Church street. 
The church was organized in 1S42, with six mem- 
bers. The church edifice was erected in 1844. 
It cost about twelve thousand dollars. The build- 
ing committee were Gardiner G. Howland and 
William Henry Roe. The stone came from Black- 
well's Island. In 1850 Mr, Gordon resigned and 
removed to New York. After an interval of near- 
ly eighteen months, the Eev. G. Henry Mande- 
ville was called July 28th, 1851. In the spring 
of ]859 the church was enlarged and repaired, 
and an organ purchased at an expense of about 
three thousand dollars. In August of this year 
Rev. Mr. Mandeville removed to Newburg. In 
September Rev. W. W. Halloway was called and 
settled as Pastor. 

Congregational Church — This church was or- 
ganized early in the spring of 1851. They first 
worshipped in a school house in church street. 
In the fall^of 185 j, Eev. Charles O. Reynolds was 
called and settled as Pastor. In 1852 they built 
at the head of Washington street, in Union street, 
the Chapel which has since been removed to Ailan- 
thus place. This church edifice was built in 1856, 



169 

at a cost of fourteen thousand dollars. Building 
committee, D. S. Williams, E. Treadwell, Eobert 
B. Parsons, Edward Roe and W. Phillips. 

In December, 1854, Rev. S. Bourne was called, 
who resigned in the spring of 1859, and was suc- 
ceeded in Feb. 18G0, by Rev. Henry Staats . 

Baptist Church. — This was organized January 
17th, 1857. They held their meetings at tirst in 
the school room of the late Jemima Hammond. 
The present church edifice was built in the spring 
of 1857, and dedicated October 15th of the same 
year. Rev. Howard Osgood was the first Pastor. 
He was succeeded by Rev. Oscar Greaves, who 
officiated for a few months, and was , followed 
by the present Pastor, Rev. John Bray. It is 
a singular circumstance that a church of this 
denomination should not have existed here at an 
earlier date ; particularly when we remember that 
the first religious teacher in Flushing entertained 
their views in relation to the ordinance of Baptism. 

Roman Catholic Church. — The following state- 
ment of this church was kindly furnished by its 
present Minister : — 

St. Michael's Church.— In October, 1826, the 

Catholics of Flushing, then only twelve in number, 

invited the Rev. Father Farnham of Brooklyn to 

come and minister to them the consolations of 
15* 



170 

their holy religion. Accordingly, their first meet- 
ing was held, and the first Mass oflTered up in a 
small house on Main street, adjoining the Post 
Office. It was soon found to be too small, and it 
was deemed expedient to purchase a larger house 
in Liberty street, where they were attended regu- 
larly once a month by the Rev. Mr. Curran of 
Astoria. This, too, after being twice enlarged, 
became insufficient to accommodate the congre- 
gation, now rapidly increasing. In order to meet 
the wants of the people, it became a matter of 
necessity to purchase a new site, and erect a new 
church. On the 28th of June, 1841, four lots 
were purchased on the corner of Union and Madi- 
son streets, where the present church now stands, 
and a frame building seventy-two by thirty-five 
feet was erected. As soon as it became known 
that there was a Catholic church in Flushing, the 
congregation increased amazingly ; and appli- 
cation was made to Bishop Hughes for a resident 
pastor which was immediately acceded to, and 
the congrgation entrusted to the pastoral charge 
of the Eev. Mr. Wheeler, who, after a few years 
was succeeded by the Rev. John McMahon.. 
Again in 1854, the church being found entirely 
too small to contain the congregation, and in too 
dilapidated a condition to be enlarged, a meeting 
was held, and it was unanimously resolved to 



171 

build a church of larger dimenRious and of some 
architectural pretensions. Accordingly, the pres- 
ent beautiful Gothic structure was erected under 
the direction and superyision of the Eev. James 
O'Beirne. present pastor, aided and encouraged by 
the most hearty and zealous cooperation of the con- 
gregation. The corner stone was laid on the 24th 
of June, 1854, and on the following Christmas Day, 
the holy sacrifice of the Mass was off.-red up in the 
Church, though yet in an unfinished state. Not- 
withstanding the great exertions of the pastor 
and people, and the munificent donations of many 
ladies and gentlemen of difi"erent persuasions, it 
was found impossible for want of funds to com- 
plete the work before the end of Sept. 1856. On 
the 4th of Oct. of the same year it was solemnly 
dedicated to the service of Almighty God by the 
Bight Rev. Dr. Loughlin, Bishop of Brooklyn. 

St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church at College 
Point was erected and dedicated in 1856. It is 
under the pastoral charge of Rev. Joseph Huber, 
a native of Austria. 

The Lutheran Church at College Point. — 
In the spring of 1857 the Lutheran families of 
Strattonport established a school and employed 
Mr. G. Soeler, a candidate for the ministry, as 
teacher. He also preached for them from time to 
time. In October, 1S57 their present church 



172 

edifice was completed at a cost of fifteen hundred 
dollars. Iti April, 1S58 Eev. August Heitmuller 
was called as Pastor, who also conducted the school. 
They have no sabbath school. The whole con- 
gregation are catechized every sabbath afternoon. 

St. Paul's Free Chapel at College Point. — 
In 1859 the Flushing Bible Society discontinued 
the services of their colporteur, Mr. Caldwell, 
who had been faithfully laboring at Strattonport 
and College Point for two years. With the increase 
of the population of the village was a correspond- 
ing increase in the attendance at the Sunday 
school, which had been held hitherto in the dis- 
trict school house. It was determined to erect a Free 
Chapel, and Mr. W. O. Chisolm of College Poir^t, 
and Messrs. F. A. Potts, C. W. Whitney, Spen- 
cer H Smith, W. H. Stebbins, Jr. and H. A, Bogert, 
were appointed a committee to carry out the plan. 
Mr. Poppenhusen generously donated a plot of 
ground, and nearly three thousand dollars was 
raised by subscription in the town. The building 
was completed January 1st, 1860. 

The Mission Chapel at the Head of the Vleigh 
was erected in 1S5S, at a cost of upwards of one 
thousand dollars, a great part of which was gen- 
erously contributed by a lady of the village, 
whose many acts of unostentatious charity have 
caused her name to be often breathed with a 



173 

blessing at the lonely he artb of the suffering poor, 
The plot of ground upon which the building stands 
was donated by Thomas Whitson. A fair in aid 
of the Chapel, held in 1859, realized five hundred 
and forty dollars. 

Sahhath Scoools — The first school held on the 
Sabbath was for instructing colored people in the 
elementary branches of education It wjtS con- 
ducted mainly by Friends, assisted by Wm. A. 
Haughton. This was about 1819 — 20. 

The Sabbath school connected with the Episco- 
pal church was commenced in 1820. Mr. Haugh- 
ton. was its superintendant. He was assisted by 
Messrs. Richard Peck, Isaac Peck, James Morrell 
and others, together with a number of ladies. 

Messrs. Haughton and Richard Peck also made 
the first efforts to institute a Sabbath school at 
Whitestone, at about the same time. They were 
joined by some of the inhabitants, principally 
ladies. They labored there about three years, 
and exerted a very happy influence. 

The colored Sunday school in connection with* 
the Episcopal church was commenced about nine 
years ago. It had its origin in a class taught by 
a young lady, a member of that church. The 
class became too large for the room where they 
met, and was transferred to the Episcopal Sabbath 
school room. 



174 

The school of the Methodist Church was organ- 
ized about 1823. 

The schools of the other churches were organized 
about cotemporaneously with the churches. 

A Mission Sabbath School was commenced at 
the District School House in College Point in 
1855, by members of different religious denomina- 
tions in the town. It still continues in successful 
operation at the Mission Chapel recently erected. 
Sabbath Schools have also been establis'hed with- 
in a recent period at the Mission Chapel at the 
Head of the Vleigh, Black Stump, the Alley and 
Bay Side. 

COi\cLUsioN. — Thus have we presented such 
facts as we have had opportunity to collect. We 
might have entered into further details concerning 
the later period of our history. But our object 
has been to gather, not so much the late as the 
early incidents. Of these we think we have ob- 
tained all now accessible. We offer it to our 
fellow-townsmen in the hope that they will be 
•interested in the narrative, imperfect as it neces- 
sarily must be. How greats changes have tran- 
spired since, a little over two centuries ago, our 
fathers settled in this pleasant and beautiful spot. 
Then the Indian was " Monarch of all he surveyed" 
" to the manor native born." Then the wolf and 
the bear had their favorite haunts in the wild 



175 



forests that threw tljeir solemn shadow over all 
the land, What prophetic eye can look down the 
vista of the future and discern the changes which 
the chronicler two centuries hence will have to 
record. 

In the review with what pathos and solemnity 
does the question appeal to every reflective mind 
and sensitive heart, "Our fathers, where are they?" 

From tliis mortal scene, 
Gone with the dream of things that were, 

As if they n'er had been, 
Beyond the wanderings of the morn, 

Beyond the portals of the day, 
Unto a land whence none return, 

Om* fathers, where are they ? 

The vanished comet, long deemed lost, 

And absent for a thousand years, 
Again, amid the starry host, 

From darkness reappears. 
Seas ebb and flow upon the shore, 

Moons wax when they have waned away. 
But they who go to come no more, 

Our fathers, where are they ? 

Thou Sun, that light'st the boundless skies, 
Where are the Earth's departed gone ? 

Ye stars, to your all-seeing eyes, 
Is the great secret known ? 



176 

Ye breathe not of their place of rest, 

But roll ill silene&on your way, 
And the lorn echoes of the breast. 

Still answer where are they ? " 

" 'Tis thus, in future hours, some bard will say, 
Of you who read, and him who sings this lay. 
They are gone — they all are gone.'' 

TVoul 1 we leave a record which we would desire future 
generations to read, then let each one 
" Seek to slay 
The rank and fatal errors of the day : 
Battle upon the side of truth and right, 
"War for the good and beautiful — the fight 
May be thy last, but it will be thy best, 
For every blood-drop on thy brow or breast, 
Shall sanctify the issue, and shall be 
Transformed to goms, by heaven's strange alchemy, 
That shall bedeck thy forehead." 



FIJS^IS. 



177 



APPENDIX. 



List of Jieads of Families in Flushing^ {French^ Dutch and Eng- 
lisTi) from 1645 to 1698, gathered from various old records and 
documents. By Henry Onderdonk, Jr. 

John xldams ; Poulas Amerman ; Thomas Applegate ; Derick, 
John and Elbert Areson ; Anthony Badgley ; Cornelius Barne- 
son; William Benger; Rudolf Blackford ; George Blee ; John, 
Elizabeth and Francis Bloodgood ; Barnardus Bloom ; Samuel, 
Mary, John and Thomas Bowne ; Derick Brewer ; Charles 
Bridges ; Moses Brown ; Lyman Bumptell ; Francis Burto ; 
Widow Cartwright; Wm. Chadderton ; Richard Chew; James 
and John Clement; Rebecca Clery ; Nathaniel Coe; Francis 
Colley ; Hugh Cowperthwaite; Adrian, John and Patience Cor- 
nelius ; Jacob and Richard Cornell; Jlindert Corten ; William 
Dauford ; Thomas Davis ; Obadiah Demilt ; John Depre ; 
John Dewildie; Lawrence (or Dutch,) Douse; Elias, Sarah, 
Francis and Charles Doughty ; Deborah Ebell ; John Embree ; 
John Esmond; Edward, Dorothy, John, Matthew and Thomas 
Farrington ; Edward, James and Tobias Feake; Anthony, Ben- 
jamin, John, Thomas, Joseph and Robert Sr. and Jr. Field; Ro- 
bert Firman ; Esther, John and Thomas Ford ; William, weaver, 
William, carpenter, Fowler; Henry Franklin; John Furman ; 
John Furbosh (or Forbush;) John Genung ; John Gelloe (or 
Gilime;?)Wowter Gilbertson ; John Glover; Edward Sr. and 
Jr., Richard and John Griffin; Lorus HafF; Sam'l Kaight j 
Thomas Hall ; Garrit Hanson ; Edward Hart ; John Harring- 
ton ; John Harrison ; Mr. }.Iatthias Haroye ; Benjamin, John 
and William Haviland; John Heeded; Joseph and Thomas 
Hedger ; Gerrit Hendricks ; Thomas, Justice, and John Hicks ; 
John, Robert and Thomas Hinchmau ; Powell HofF; Dennis 
Holdren ; John Sr. and Jr. Hopper; Samuel Hoyt; Benjamin 

16 



178 

Hubbard; Nathan Jeffs; Josiah Jenning; John Jores; Thos. 
Kimsey ; Harmanus King ; George Langley ; John, Joseph, 
Thomas, and Major William Lawrence ; Madalin Lodew ; John 
Man; John Marston; Michael Millner (or Millard;) Charles 
Morgan; William and Ann Noble; Phillip Odall ; William 
Owen; Elias and Joseph Palmer; Nicholas Parcell (or Per- 
sells ;) Daniel Patrick ; Mary Perkins ; Wm. Pidgeou ; Derick 
Ponies ; Arthur Powel ; Edward Ranse (or Reurt ;) Abm. Rich ; 
John Rodman; David and Nathaniel Rowe; Thomas Run- 
ley; John Ryder; Walter Salter; Henry Sawtell; WiUiam 
Salsbee; Thomas Saul; (?) Jasper, Morris and Margery Smith; 
Nicholas and Robert Snethen; Mary Southick; Thomas, and 
Mirabel Stevens ; Wm. Charles Stiger ; Thomas Stiles ; Rich- 
ard Stocton, John Talman ; Samuel Tatem ; Dr. Henry Tay- 
lor; John and Robert Terry; Simon Thewall(?) ; Richard 
Tindal ; Henry and John Townsend ; Joseph, Samuel, William 
Jr., and John, Sr. and Jr., Thorne; Phillip Udal ; Edec. Van 
Skyagg;(?) Ellen Wall; Wm. Warde: Richard Weller; James 
and Thomas Whittaker ; Richard Wieday; Edec. Wilday;(?) 
Thomas Willde ; Col. Thos. Willet ; Thos. Williams ; Martin 
Wiltse; George, David, Henry and Joua., Sr. and Jr., Wright; 
William, Thomas and John Yeates. 



Analysis of the Chalybeate Mineral Spiing, on tVie farm of Gen. 
Edward VV. Bradley, Whitestoue Avenue. 

One gallon contains the followina ingredients : 

Chloride of Sodium ].45 t^ulphate of Lime 12 

Chloiide of Calcium > „, ?ulpate of Soda \ _„ 

Chlorideof Magnesium 5 ^'^ Sulphate of Magnesia 3 

Bicarbonate of Magnesia 1.08 Organic matter 32 

Bicarbonate of Lime 86 Silicia, Alumnia, &c 14 

Protocarbonate of Iron 3.20 

Grains, 8.86 
Free Carbonic Acid, 4.268 Cubic Inches. 

Some years ago the distinguished Dr. Samuel L, Mitchell, of New 
York, drew public attention to this water. In 1852, James R. Chilton, 
M. D , the well known Chemist, remarked, after the analysis of the 
water : — " This is a purely tonic water, and commends itself to the 
attenlion of rnedical men having patients under their charge who re- 
quire tlie invigoFHting effects of Iron, whuu administered in its most 
efficient state of combination-" 



170 



MOUVT VERNON FUND. 

Received, New York /*pril 27th, 1849, of Miss. Isabel C, Potts, of 
Flushing, L. I. (the appointed Lady Manager of that town) Three 
hundred and four dollars and thrre cents, being the full amount col- 
lected by her towards the " Mount Vernon Fund" as per subscription 
book this day returned to the office. 

Elizabeth J. Montgomery, Secretary, 
$304 03. for M. M. Hamilton. 



DIRECTORY OF THE VILLAGE OF FLUSHING. 

Auctioneers.— Charles P. Lowree and Coles W. White. 

Amhrotypists. — Seabrook E. Willett and Sylvester Roe. 

Balers.— }o\\n S. Pictman, M. Caveny. F. Thorp, Walter Schenk, 
Ira Ellis and Mrs. Wright. 

Barbers. — William Howard and F. Klages. 

Bell Hanger — Aslop Lawrence, who is also a Locksmith and Gun- 
smith. 

tilacksmitha and Wagon Makers — George Van Ostrand, Alexander 
Parks, James Keefe, Thorn and Joseph Wright. 

Boots and Shoes. — Jacob Roemer. Van Ostrand & i ornell, Henry 
Warner, John GrifBn, Wilson Mitchell, Pearsall Wright, John Flem- 
ing, John Flinn and Lawrence Blahar. 

Boat Builder — A. Hamilton. 

Building Materials — Isaac Peck (fe Son, Peck & Fairweather and 
George B Roe it Co. 

Carmen.— Thomas Farrington, Thomas Webb, Robert Smith, 
Squire ti^raith, Robert Roe, John Kelly, Peter Hade, and others. 

Carpenters and Builders. — William Post, Benj. L. Fowler, Ebenezer 
West, .Silvester Roe, Thomas L. Robinson, David T. Waters and Wm, 
Van Ostrand. 

Clothier. — D. Wasters. 

Confectionery. — Caleb Smith, Mrs. Quarterman, and others. 

Coal, JFooa, 6fC. — Isaac Peck & Son, Peck & Fairweather and Wm. 
Hamilton & Son. 

De?itJsts. — Dr Fredericks and Dr. Dodge 

Dress and Cloak Making. — Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Lewis, Miss Stretch, 
Miss Wright and Miss Todd, 

Drugs and Medicines. — Clement & Bloodgood, Dr. C. H, Hedges. 

Dry Goods, Groceries, <^-c. — Isaac Peck & Son, Alfred C. Smith, Peck 
&. Fairweather, Clement & Bloodgood, Benj. Griffin, I. V, A. Paynter, 
C. Lever, James Ewbank ic Son, Patrick Darcy, P. Delehanty, Samuel 
Foster, Thorn Hmith, James Mimnaugh, Stephen Lee, Abigail Brown, 
James O'Brien, Walter Tobin, Richard Owen, Andrew Ryan, W. S. 
Braszaw, and others. 

Expresses. — Church's Express, George Foster; Flushing E.vpress, 
W. B. Conklin. 

Florists. — Patrick Darcy, James Dent and George Johnston. 



180 



Fancy Work. — Mrs. C, Lever, teaches embroidery, stamping and 
various kinds of fancy work. 

Furniture, — Ernest Kreie. Saninel W. Fowler. 

Flanr and Feed. — Wm. Henry Roe, Wm Hamilton & Son. 

Gas Fitter. — Richard Wallace. 

Hardware — Eglee & Scott. 

Hats and Caps.—V. T. Smith. 

Hotels. — Flushing Pavilion, John Mahar ; Flushing Hotel, Isaac 
Edwards; Farmers and Mechanics Hall, C. P. Lowerre; Deutches 
Hotel, C. Weber. 

Harness MnJeers. — Richard rnrnell, Ebenezer A. Lewis and B. Zuzi. 

Hides and Fat. — Quinby & Field. 

Insurance — Coles W. White and George C. Faker. 

Law. — George W. Ralph, Charles Van Nostraiid and B. W. Downing. 

Livery Stables — William Sammis, Augustus G Boerum, Wilson B. 
Lawrence and Charles E. Hunt. 

Markets — George Pop'.e, E R. Byrd, Patrick Clark, Thomas Dow- 
ling, Van Velsor & Gildersleeve, Thomas J. Qaarterman and William 
Stanton, deal in Poultry and Vegetables. 

Masons and Builders — Corns \V. Howard, Edward F.Smith, Hend- 
rickson .larvis, Addison Smith, James Carroll, IJenry S. jiarto aud 
C. Powell. 

Marble and Stone Yards — George Weaver and Daniel McCormack. 

Mineral Waters. — J^amuel B. Nicholls. 

MHUnfry — Mrs. E. V Van Velsor, Mrs. Marshall & Mrs. Jane Gilligan 

Music. — William Baldwin. 

Nurseries. — Wm. R. Prince & Co , King & Ripley, Parsons & Co., 
Daniel Higgins, George D. Kimber and A. G. Silliman. 

Painters. — James Quarterman & Sons, Piichird Sanders, Edvdn 
Hitchins, Thomas Gosling and J. Wm Quarterman. 

Periodicals — J. B Stillwaggon, deali-r in periodicals and newspapers. 

Physicians. — Abraham Rloodgool, C. H. Hedges, <^. P. Leggett, J. 
VV. Barstow, Joseph H. Vedder, C. M. Allin and 0. Strauch. 

Printers. — C. R Lincoln and VV. R. Burling. 

Real Estate Agents — Willett <fe Carll. 

Restaurant. — John Reed. 

Road Contractors. — Henry French and John Leonard. 

Sash and Blindmalcers ~~3ohn H. f^owecre and Samuel D. Smith, 

Schools. — Flushing Institute for boys ; .-^rs. s. K. Roberts, and Rev. 
H. DanaWard's for girls; Miss Blake So Mi .s. Field for young children. 

Scroll Salving. — Geo. A. Stillwaggon and Thomas L. Robinson. 

Segars. — Capt. M. Morrow, importer of Havanas, and Wm. Burk. 

Seedman — G. R. Garretson. 

Steam Mill. — James Milnpr Peck Sc Co., all kinds of planing and 
mouldings, turning, and kindling wood. 

Stoves and Tin TFare— Es^ee ~& Scott, Thomas Elliott, Thomas O. 
Morton, John Higgins and Benj. Field. 

Surveying. — John F. Carll. 

Tailors. — Edmund Howard, John Rickey, William Knighton and 
George Hem~ley. 

Umbrellas and Furrier. — J. Skinner. 

Undertakers — Samuel W. Fowler and Seth T. Cook. 

Upholsterer. — D. Laedein. 

TVatches atid Jewelry.-— Henry Carpenter and Samuel ijarpenter 



X9^^ 



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